When I learned that the Leonid meteor shower would be visible on Saturday, November 18th, and could be observed live from the Aishan Astronomical Observatory in Jiaozhou, I knew it was a perfect opportunity for our Science Education Club. It was a chance to take our students beyond the textbooks and into the field for a hands-on learning experience in astrophysics.

We kicked off our field study by delving into the topic of astrophysics. The students eagerly read books and researched about stars, planets, the solar system, and the Big Bang theory. They were eager to test the scientists’ theories by looking through telescopes.

As we stood under the starry skies of Aishan, the excitement and wonder on the children’s faces were priceless. “I’ve never seen so many stars before,” was a common exclamation.

This event not only provided an opportunity for our students to interact with professional observatory staff and astronomy enthusiasts but also allowed us to witness the International Space Station’s pass, view Jupiter and the crescent moon through telescopes, and experience the thrill of waiting for meteors to streak across the night sky.

It was a reminder that we are all natural-born stargazers, connected to the universe and nature in a way that is both profound and personal.

Special thanks to Ms. Rachel Xie Chao, our chemistry teacher, for her support and guidance during this unforgettable adventure.

My Childhood Fascination with Astronomy and the Breathtaking Sight of Stars at Aishan Astronomical Observatory

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by astronomy. However, it was only at Aishan Astronomical Observatory that I witnessed a sky filled with countless stars, a sight that left me truly breathless.

Under the guidance of the observatory's teachers, we closed our eyes to let go of the memory of city lights and then looked up at the night sky. What greeted us was a stunning display of stars that can only be described as "breathtaking."

One of the highlights of our visit was the mini-meteor museum at the observatory, which combines collections, scientific research, art, and documentation. The teachers introduced various exhibits with such passion and detail that it was evident they had invested a significant amount of effort into building this museum. Each artifact had a story to tell, and the teachers narrated them with ease and enthusiasm.

Thank you to my tutor, Ms. Cici, for inviting me to join the Science Education club!

Before this event, the club conducted a PBL project study on "water", which gave us a clearer understanding of the application of textbook knowledge, and sparked my interest in the Science Education club even more.

This astrophysics event was even more extensive and attracted many students outside of the club to participate. Seeing more and more classmates willing to explore the scientific world with us, I was increasingly optimistic about the prospects of the club and more motivated to expand my scientific knowledge.

A week before the event, Ms. Rachel assigned each of us research or scientific tasks, and at the end of the study, we each had to write an article to report on our findings for our respective topics.

My most profound feeling about this event can be described in two words: "amazement" and "regret".

"Amazement" comes from the fact that although we had once been thrilled by the few stars visible in the night sky above our school playground, the sky visible to the naked eye at the Aishan Observatory was filled with countless stars. What was captured in the photos was an even more vast and dazzling starry sky, which was truly a shocking experience for us "city kids".

As for "regret", it may stem from the fact that there were still some questions or areas of exploration that we wanted to pursue during this event but were unable to due to various reasons such as time constraints. Nevertheless, this regret serves as a driving force for us to continue our efforts and explorations, making us even more excited for future Science Education club activities.

An additional regret stemmed from my focus on setting up the equipment and waiting patiently for the meteors to appear, while neglecting to actually look up at the starry sky and witness the fleeting moment of a meteor streaking across the heavens. Although there were photos, missing the opportunity to see the meteors in person made this event slightly imperfect for me.

Gavin Liu, G2

The meticulous organisation of our astronomy event

The initiator of our event was Ms. Rachel, and perhaps because she is a science teacher, the organization and arrangements for this activity were particularly meticulous. Our physics teacher, Ms. Mandy, also accompanied us throughout the entire journey, making this event a great success.

As a member of the Science Education Club, I initially decided to participate in order to complete a project report. However, when I learned that my best friend had also signed up, this "all-nighter" observation became even more enjoyable.

This event turned out to be a life-changing experience for me.

Firstly, the most direct and significant highlight was witnessing the beauty of meteors streaking through the starry sky for the first time. Not only that, but we also used telescopes to see the clear moon and even star clusters hidden in the vast universe. Of course, I also gained a lot of professional knowledge about space, which greatly broadened my horizons.

Secondly, this event honed our self-care and hands-on abilities. From setting up and packing away tents to recording and planning all observation times, we relied entirely on ourselves.

Lastly, I believe the most important takeaway from this event was its ability to calm my restless mindset. Lying under the starry sky, I felt as if I were immersed in the vastness of the universe, and my heart was genuinely soothed by the silence.

Chatting heartily with friends under the starry sky, calmly reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future, not only enhanced our friendship but also filled me with confidence and motivation for the future.

Despite staying up all night for this event, it was worth it when those meteors streaked across the starry river towards me.

Jennifer Chen, Grade 2