What is the Japan Society for the Promotion of Astronomy Education (TENKYO)?

The Japanese Society for the Promotion of Astronomy Education is a study group of educators, researchers, and astronomy enthusiasts who are interested in the promotion of astronomy and its activities. It is divided regionally into seven chapters throughout Japan, each with its own activities.

(For more information, please visit the website of the Association for the Study of Astronomy).

Background of participation

Curascopium's participation in the TENKYO Tohoku Branch Study Group was triggered by an invitation from Ms. Rie Sakuma, who was invited to the Jump to Science in Tohoku event held at Miyagi University of Education in November 2023. Yusaku Tanaka and Takeshi Nagasawa participated in the meeting, reporting on “astronomy classes at the University of Tsukuba Special Needs School for the Blind” and “astronomy activities at the Light House in San Francisco” as activities to promote Curascopium astronomy.

On the day

The presentations by the members of TENKYO were given via Zoom throughout the day, including a report on the activities of the Curascopium, and we were able to successfully complete our report.

Participation in the Tenrikyo Kinki Branch Study Group

On December 17, 2023, Takeshi Nagasawa participated in the Kinki Chapter's study group, which is also a branch, through the introduction of Professor Emeritus Mineshige of Kyoto University, who was instrumental in planning an astronomy lesson at the University of Tsukuba's School for Special Needs for the Blind.

As with the Tohoku Branch Study Group, a full-day study group was held and presentations were made by the participants. Among them was a report on an astronomy class at the University of Tsukuba's Special Needs School for the Blind.

Future

Following the Kinki and Tohoku Chapters, Curascopium will participate in the annual meeting of Tenkyou in August 2024 and report on its activities.