AMACA
Astronomy Education with a Multisensory, Accessible, & Circular Approach
Astronomy Education with a Multisensory, Accessible, & Circular Approach
The AMACA Project explores inclusive and multisensory approaches to astronomy education, engaging students, teachers, and the public in innovative ways. Each year, PhD students from the University of Padova and the University of Bologna design hands-on activities on different themes (in 2025 the theme was “Journey into the darkness”) combining tactile resources, sonification, and interactive experiences for audiences of all ages.
These activities are showcased during the annual Astronomy Festival “The Universe in All Senses”, held on the first weekend of June in Castellaro Lagusello, Italy, which welcomes each year over 4,500 visitors. High-school students participate actively, guiding visitors through workshops, exhibitions, and immersive experiences, while outreach sessions include astronomy, philosophy, psychology, art, archeology, and sound design. Feedback highlights the festival’s inclusive and engaging approach.
Building on the festival, AMACA runs a teacher training each fall, with about 20 teachers from kindergarten to secondary school learning to implement multisensory astronomy activities in their classrooms. Lessons are led by PhD students and high-school participants, promoting a circular learning model where knowledge and experience flow between students, teachers, and the public.
Preparations for the 2026 festival, entitled “Wandering through the cosmos” (the theme is “errors”), are already underway, continuing the project’s mission to make astronomy accessible, engaging, and multisensory for everyone.
For more information, visit the website at this link: universointuttiisensi.it/en/