On the initiative of Prof. Yervant Terzian (Cornell University, NY, USA), a Project of
Astronomical Lectures in the schools of the Republic of Armenia (RA) was conducted by ArAS
on October 28-31. Since astronomy is not a primary subject at RA schools, this project was a
chance to partially compensate this gap. High schools, including some specialized schools were
selected by the Ministry of Education and Science.
The schools involved were:
- Yerevan A. Shahinyan Physical-Mathematical school
- Yerevan “Quantum” College
- Yerevan Anania Shirakatsi College
- Yerevan “Olympus” Educational Centre
- Yerevan National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia high school
- 17 Yerevan high schools
- Abovyan high school (Kotayk Province)
- Aparan high school (AragatzotnProvince)
- Ashtarak high school (Aragatzotn Province)
- Charentsavan high school high school (Kotayk Province)
- Gyumri “Photon” College (Shirak Province)
- Hrazdan high school (Kotayk Province)
- Metzamor high school (Armavir Province)
- Nor Hatchn high school (Kotayk Province)
The lectures were organized either in specialized classrooms with participation of at least 30
pupils, or in some cases in the school halls with participation of up to 200 people.
Lectures by Avetik Grigoryan at Yerevan No. 119 high school and
by Dr. Areg Mickaelian at Ashtarak high school
Altogether 30 lectures were given by 7 astronomers:
- Dr. Haik Harutyunian, BAO Director and ArAS Co-President
- Dr. Areg Mickaelian, BAO Leading Research Associate, ArAS Co-President and Project
Manager of the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO)
- Dr. Elena Nikogossian, BAO Scientific Secretary and ArAS Secretary
- Dr. Hovhannes Pikichian, BAO Senior Research Associate
- Dr. Ararat Yeghikian, BAO Senior Research Associate
- Dr. Marietta Gyulzadian, BAO Research Associate and Teacher of Astronomy and
Physics at Yerevan Physics-Mathematics Specialized School, Leader of the Armenian
team at the International Astronomical Olympiads (IAO)
- Dr. Avetik Grigoryan, former BAO researcher (1983-1992), at present Head of the Space
Group of Republican Technical Creativity Center of RA Ministry of Education and Science
Lecture by Dr. Hovhannes Pikichian at Metzamor high school
A general presentation on “Wonders of the Universe” (PowerPoint file) was prepared, which
included information on the history and modern state of astronomy, its present developments,
achievements of BAO led by the outstanding scientist Viktor Ambartsumian and other famous
astronomers, and a lot of beautiful pictures from the Universe. As agreed beforehand, all lectures
were organized in classrooms with projectors.
A number of promotional materials were distributed to the schools libraries, teachers and pupils.
ArAS and BAO publications were used as well and some were published and produced in frame of
this project. The following materials were distributed:
- Brochure “Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory” (2011, in Armenian) by Areg Mickaelian
- Photo booklet “Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory” (2012) with a collection of photos from
BAO (territory, buildings, telescopes, etc.)
- Brochure “Viktor Ambartsumian: most important scientific results” (2011, in Armenian and
English) by Haik Harutyunian and Areg Mickaelian
- Brochure “Viktor Ambartsumian: Life and Activities” (2014, in English) by Areg Mickaelian
- Postcards “Viktor Ambartsumian”
- Proceedings of the conference “Evolution of Cosmic Objects through their Physical Activity”
dedicated to Viktor Ambartsumian’s 100th anniversary (2010, in English) with papers
containing his views on physical and evolutionary processes in the Universe
- Proceedings of the conference “Astronomical Heritage in the National Culture” dedicated to
Anania Shirakatsi’s 1400th anniversary (2014, in Armenian)
- DVD “Viktor Ambartsumian” (2010, in Armenian, Russian and English) with a full collection
of data on our great scientist (biography, his books and papers, articles about him, photos,
movies, etc.)
- DVD “Astronomy for Schools” (2014, in Armenian, Russian and English) reproduced in
frame of this project and contains a lot of necessary materials for the school astronomy:
digitized textbooks and problem books, exercises, encyclopedia and thesauri, popular
astronomical software, photos and movies, information on BAO, Viktor Ambartsumian and
other famous Armenian astronomers, as well as the popular CD “3D Atlas of the Universe”
Astronomical promotional materials distributed to schools libraries, teachers and pupils
One of the goals of the project was the discovery of talented pupils interested in astronomy. We
will maintain further contacts with them and follow their further growth as potential future scientists.
For this, special forms were prepared and distributed in schools as feedback from this project.
Hundreds of pupils have filled in and returned these forms with their contact data.
Some of the directors of the schools have sent us gratitude letters and others have suggested
continue such lectures and organize astronomical groups in their schools.
ArAS School Lectures project was supported by:
Mrs. Araxy Babalanian (Florida, USA)
Mrs. Yeranuhi Tchelikjian (Montreal, Canada)
Prof. Yervant Terzian (New York, USA)
On behalf of ArAS we acknowledge this generous support and look forward for further activities.