Summary

“Inspiring Stars” is a collaborative Initiative in which resources related to astronomy research, communication and development are collected via an open call around the world and combined in a unique interactive exhibition. Inspiring Stars intends to broaden the horizons of children, parents, teachers and astronomers by showcasing assistive research tools and inclusive practices inspiring the love for science and the possibility of contributing to it in spite of apparent hurdles. It aims at elicit a chain reaction of committed engagement for an egalitarian participation of people with disabilities in the field of astronomy.

The IAU considers this exhibit a joint effort seed generated by the community to grow within the community. Being inclusive both in its goals and practices, the exhibition will develop itself along with the environments it visits, assimilating best practices from around the world and highlighting different local initiatives, therefore strengthening global ties between the communities.

The exhibition premiered during the IAU General Assembly 2018 in Vienna, on August 22, and it was preceded by an inception activity on April 16, 2018, when the team visited Vienna meeting local institutions. The motto of the debut experience in August is “Expanding our Universe”, in which the core message is that everyone’s horizons will open up and our lives enriched once we learn from people with disabilities different ways of perceiving the world around us.

Activities

The activities planned for the debut of “Inspiring Stars” are representative of existing global initiatives (identified and gathered through an open call), and will target all types of impairments in three modalities of interaction: collaborative, research and didactic. They will include all levels of engagement: outreach, school, and professional ones.

About IAU

The IAU has more than 10,000 active members in 98 countries worldwide and its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. “Inspiring Stars - IAU inclusive world exhibition” is a joint venture by the IAU Secretariat, the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development and the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach. With “Inspiring Stars” the IAU intends to go further in its existing actions for the promotion of inclusion focussing on the egalitarian participation in Science.