PG International Schools for Young Astronomers
Educational activities are one of the essential tasks of the Union. The International Schools for Young Astronomers is a project within IAU Commission 46, Astronomy Education and Development. The Chair of the Working Group, through the President of Commission 46, should request from the General Secretary a budget for generally two ISYA during any triennium between IAU General Assemblies. The financial support is only for travel, both international and within the host country. The host institution must obtain the funds to cover expenses during the ISYA.
ISYA seeks the participation of young astronomers mainly, but not exclusively, from astronomically developing countries. Participants should generally have finished first degree studies.
ISYA seeks to broaden the participants's perspective on astronomy by lectures from an international faculty on selected topics of astronomy, seminars, practical exercises and observations, and exchange of experiences.
There should be a wide regional (multi-country) representation of both lecturers and students. Participation in ISYA by women is encouraged both as student and as teacher.
For countries with a national astronomy program, part of the school should take place at an observatory site for training in observational techniques and if possible in data reduction.
The ISYA Chairperson should correspond with the Director of the school so that the proposal follows the working rules and guidelines for the ISYA currently in force. The correspondence should include the duration of ISYA, generally about three weeks, the range of topics to be accommodated in that time, the academic level of the lectures, the importance of faculty who have teaching experience and who can remain for the entire duration of the school, the opportunity of practical exercises including observing and data reduction, the time allotted to individual presentations by participants, the actual dates and location, practical arrangements for room, board, and academic facilities, the associated budget, and the adequacy of the host institution's plans to obtain the needed funding.
The approval of an ISYA proposal, agreed to by the Director of the School and the ISYA Chairperson, may be done in two steps. First, the ISYA Chairperson, via the President of Commission 46, seeks approval by the EC of the theme and outline of the scientific program of the ISYA and its venue and dates. Second, the final approval of the ISYA detailed program and lecturers rests with the President of Commission 46. The latter should resolve any disagreements developing during the planning process and, if deemed necessary, may cancel the ISYA.
Approval will depend on the identification of a capable local organizer (not necessarily the Director of the school) who, with the support of the ISYA Chairperson, can complete all arrangements in time for the ISYA.
The list of recipients of IAU travel grants is worked out jointly by the Director of the school and the ISYA Chairperson. At least one third of the participants should be foreign.
During the school, the ISYA Chairperson and/or Vice-Chairperson will act as academic coordinator for the faculty and participants and for the program of lectures.
The ISYA Chairperson should write two reports.
1. Immediately after the school, generally written with the help of the Director of the School, a first report should summarize the program of the activities, lectures held, the list and addresses of the participants, the list of the speakers and lecturers and the highlights, strengths and weaknesses of the school. 2. Two to four years after the ISYA has been held, a second report should give information on the scientific or educational activities of the ISYA participants together with their new addresses. The ISYA Chairperson should communicate both reports to the EC for information and to the President of Commission 46 for review at the next GA. A summary report should be published in the IAU Information Bulletin.
chair: Jean-Pierre de Greve (Belgium)