Description

Oriastro encourages networking between astronomy specialists and the different sectors of society through electronic platforms, virtual and face-to-face workshops, conferences, interviews, astronomical observations and written articles.

Oriastro also aims to encourage scientific vocations with a particular focus on girls and young people, to combat false news surrounding astronomy and the exact sciences, and to provide a meeting place for researchers, academics and various sectors of society.

Region

Latin America & The Caribbean, Northern America

location

Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Type of Organisation

Science Engagement Project

Focus Area / Approach

Community Engagement, Informal Science Learning

Impact Towards SDGs

Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 5: Gender Equality

Main Target Group

Kids (<12 years old)

Active Since

2018

Logo

What This Organisation Can Offer

Oriastro offers activities focused on three different audiences:

  • Girls and young women: through the project “Scientists Outside the Classroom”, outstanding women who have studied STEM and/or social sciences are presented, emphasizing the difficulties they have faced along the way, their learning and achievements. This series aims to encourage girls to pursue scientific careers, to offer mentoring by specialists, and reduce the gender gap in science and generate new role models.
  • Science communicators and decision-makers: through interviews, videos, infographics and workshops, we seek to create a space for meeting with science communicators and decision-makers. With the objective of opening spaces for the dissemination of science in Mexico, encourage the development of scientific public policies with a gender perspective and based on results.
  • Parents and teachers: through workshops and conferences we seek to provide tools to parents and teachers, which can be replicated in educational institutions and family activities, to bring children and young people closer to science.

What This Organisation Is Looking for

Networking with school, enterprises, science communicators and policy makers, as well as funding opportunities.

Project Lead

Oriastro

METROPOLITAN AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY (UAM)

Oriana Trejo Alvarez

2022 Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage)

Oriana Trejo is a Mexican astronomer and science communicator with more than ten years of experience. She is the founder of the project “Oriastro” which aims to bring astronomy closer to the different sectors of society, to motivate and promote scientific vocations. Oriana is also a mentor in the “Women in STEAM” program of the U.S. Mexico Leaders Network, and currently a Technical Advisor in the Directorate for Communicating Knowledge of the President’s Office of the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) in Mexico City. As a popularizer, she has coordinated and taught multiple astronomical courses, workshops and conferences which have been exhibited in national and international congresses.

Explore more content of Falling Walls

Further Activities to have a look at