Reaching out to all ages in India

BY SKAO

Outreach is an important part of the SKA project, connecting with under-represented groups and inspiring people of all ages with the challenges and opportunities of astronomy and the STEM fields.

In September, Team SKA software specialist Snehal Valame joined a virtual science forum aimed at motivating women in STEM careers. Around 60 people attended, covering a wide age range from young girls to senior citizens, and including students at a women’s engineering college.

The forum, Sharada Shakti, meaning “Women Power” in Hindi, is held in association with Siddhivinayak college in Pune. The city is a hub for the Indian software industry and is also home to India’s National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA). Sharada Shakti’s goal is to empower women with scientific knowledge and technology in the areas of health, science, environment and education.

“The organisers wanted me to convey not only the scale and goals of the SKA project but also to make it relatable, to talk about what I do day-to-day and the kinds of career opportunities in the field. It was also important to give some motivational messages for the younger girls in the group,” said Snehal. There were plenty of questions, with people asking about India’s participation in the SKA project, and what it takes for a person to get involved in a major international project like the SKAO.

“Outreach isn’t just a one-way thing, it always feels motivating to me as well. People told me they were proud to see a woman leading in this area and some older people in the group said they now understand what radio telescopes are, and that astronomy is different to the popular astrology faiths in India,” said Snehal.

“It’s important for us as a community to see the value of these events, to understand the impact they can have and to take time to get involved.”

Snehal Valame

Credit: Snehal Valame