European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (EGMOTC) 2025

As part of the faculty recruitment process, Dr. Moupiya Maji will be delivering two seminars, first on December 8, 2025 at 14:30 Hrs and second on December 10, 2025 at 14:30 Hrs both in NIUS G4, HBCSE. The details of which are as follows:

About the Speaker:

Dr. Moupiya Maji (Ph.D. 2018, Pennsylvania State University) is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the IAU - Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) Center India.

Seminar 1:

Title of the talk:

From Cosmos to Classrooms: A Journey Through Astrophysical and Educational Research

Abstract of the talk:

This talk presents an overview of my research spanning astrophysics and astronomy education. My astrophysical work investigates how structure forms and evolves across a range of cosmic environments. Using high-resolution simulations, I have examined the birth and survival of massive star clusters in interacting galaxies, revealing the physical conditions that shape their mass distributions. I have also studied the spatial distribution of the Milky Way's satellite galaxies, evaluating the evidence for a coherent "disk of satellites'' and how baryons influence satellite anisotropy. In the context of early-universe galaxy evolution, my research connects the observable properties of Lyman-alpha emitters with their ionizing output, providing insights into how galaxies contribute to cosmic reionization.

In recent years, I have been increasingly interested in astronomy education. As part of my astronomy education research work, I have led a nationwide baseline survey on astronomy education in India, documenting students' conceptual understanding, prevalent misconceptions, attitudes, and access to learning resources. This project generated one of the first large-scale datasets of its kind in the country, revealing substantial variation across gender, socioeconomic background, and regional context. The findings highlight that despite high interest in the subject, the majority of students lack basic astronomy knowledge. Overall, the results point to the critical need for targeted curriculum support, effective assessment tools, and comprehensive teacher training. Together, this work connects the evolution of cosmic structures with the development of scientific understanding in classrooms.

As part of the faculty recruitment process, Dr. Moupiya Maji will be delivering two seminars, first on December 8, 2025 at 14:30 Hrs and second on December 10, 2025 at 14:30 Hrs both in NIUS G4, HBCSE. The details of which are as follows:

About the Speaker:

Dr. Moupiya Maji (Ph.D. 2018, Pennsylvania State University) is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the IAU - Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) Center India.

Seminar 2:

Title of the talk:

Improving astronomy education in Indian schools

Abstract of the talk:

This talk presents a comprehensive research and development agenda aimed at strengthening astronomy education across Indian schools. Prior studies of students' and teachers' understanding of astronomy have highlighted persistent conceptual gaps and widespread misconceptions. These findings underscore the absence of systematic diagnostic mechanisms and the need for high-quality instructional supports.

In response, I propose the development of a Concept Inventory for the Sun–Earth–Moon system, designed to generate reliable evidence on students' conceptual models and to illuminate patterns of reasoning that hinder learning. This instrument will serve both as a diagnostic framework and as a foundation for targeted pedagogical interventions.

Complementing this assessment effort, I propose to develop a suite of research-informed astronomy education resources for Classes 5–12, including a handbook of astronomy from classes 5-8, an astronomy elective course for Grades 9–10, and a project-based data analysis course for senior secondary students utilising real astronomical datasets.

Collectively, this programme aims to advance conceptual understanding, strengthen teacher practice, and contribute to sustained, evidence-based improvements in science education.