200 schools from all over the world have currently signed up for the Einstein Schools IAU100 global project. Participants are actively exploring the role of gravity in modern astronomy: from gravitational waves and black holes, to Einstein’s Birthday and the centenary of the 1919 solar eclipse that verified Einstein’s prediction on how starlight would bend passing near the Sun.
 

From March 2019 onwards, Einstein Schools receive monthly communications with suggestions for activities, links to relevant research, and photos of Einstein Schools’ activities worldwide. The first newsletter highlighted Einstein’s birthday on March 14th, 2019. This encouraged the Slovenian School in Mendoza, Argentina, to organize a special party for Einstein’s birthday and Pi-day. Students learned about Einstein’s life and how to define the value of Pi.

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On April 10th, all Einstein Schools received the exciting news from the Event Horizon Telescope that the first image of a supermassive black hole has been taken. Students from the school Escuela del Magisterio of the University of Cuyo in Argentina used this image to discuss black holes and gravity, and simulated the effect of a black hole on the space-time structure.

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Credit: Einstein Schools

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An important aspect of the project will be the opportunity for schools to work with a mentor such as an astronomer. In Puerto Rico, several mentors of the University of Puerto Rico are already actively working together with local schools. In April 24th, Dr. Carmen Pantoja visited Luis Negron Lopez High School in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, and gave a talk about “The Things Einstein Imagined”. The same school organized an Einstein School event on May 1st, which was visited by IAU National Outreach Coordinator Dr. Mayra Lebrón.

 

Einstein Schools is now looking forward to seeing how students can learn about the 1919 total solar eclipse, which will have its 100thanniversary on 29 May 2019, with special talks and ceremonies worldwide!

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Find more information about the Einstein Schools programme here.