Light Pollution Awareness Through Elementary Education: An Astronomy Public Outreach Program by Bosscha Observatory
Nadila Fitriyani (a*), Hesti Retno Tri Wulandari (a,b), Kiki Vierdayanti (a,b), Dian Rosleine (c), Aprilia (a,b), Yatny Yulianty (b), Luthfiandari (b), Windy Talitha Azura (a), Manalu Firdaus Orvin Dwifauja (a), Adinda Putri Jannatul Firdaus (a), Isnanda Amatul Huda (a), Hakim Al Ikhsan (a), Amandaru Taruna Mandala (a), Gendhis Pangesti Sekartaji (a), Bayu Septiadi (a), Va Syarif (a), Kiki Citra Wati (a)

Abstract

Light pollution has become a growing concern for astronomical observations and the surrounding ecosystem. In response, a public outreach program titled ^Lawan Polusi Cahaya Bersama Observatorium Bosscha^ (Combating Light Pollution with Bosscha Observatory) was initiated by Bosscha Observatory, with a focus on elementary schools located near the observatory in Lembang, Indonesia. The program included a series of school visits and observatory tours, combining educational presentations, interactive hands-on activities, and science exhibitions focused on the impacts of light pollution. Presentations were adapted to the understanding levels of elementary school students, utilizing visual-rich slides, animated videos, and gamified quizzes to maintain engagement. The initiative concluded with the selection of ^Light Pollution Ambassadors^ based on creative student-submitted worksheets. Through this outreach project, the program successfully fostered awareness among young learners, teachers, and the local community, while strengthening relationships between the observatory and its surrounding schools. This outreach program contributes to the advancement of public science education and shows the potential for similar outreach models to be applied in other Southeast Asian regions with access to astronomical resources.

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Topic: Public Outreach, Education, and Popularization of Astronomy