MARASE
Mediterranean and Arab Regional SHAW–IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education
Mediterranean and Arab Regional SHAW–IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education
The Mediterranean and Arab Regional SHAW–IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education (MARASE) is a regional initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration among astronomy educators and practitioners across the Mediterranean and Arab regions. The 2025 edition was held 1–5 December 2025 at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) in Helwan, Cairo (Egypt), bringing together educators and researchers for a multi-day programme dedicated to astronomy education, active learning methodologies, and regional exchange.
The participants of MARASE
The workshop included presentations, discussions, and practical sessions focused on student-centred and inquiry-based approaches to astronomy education. Participants shared experiences from their national contexts and explored strategies for implementing astronomy-related activities in schools and informal learning environments. Hands-on workshops allowed educators to engage directly with classroom-ready activities and to discuss how these approaches could be adapted to different cultural and educational contexts across the region.
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education Center Italy contributed to the workshop by supporting its organisation and participating in the Scientific Organising Committee. I-OAE also designed and facilitated several hands-on educational sessions, including workshops on constellation-based learning activities, game-based learning, and the use of the astroEDU platform for accessing and publishing peer-reviewed astronomy education resources. During these sessions, participants were introduced to classroom activities such as Paper Circuit Constellations and to the process of contributing educational materials to the astroEDU community. Through these contributions, I-OAE supported regional capacity building and promoted collaborative approaches aligned with the OAE educational framework.