National Astronomy Olympiad 2014

National Astronomy Olympiad: The National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) Program is jointly designed by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and ESPRO Foundation to encourage Nepalese students with good foundations in Physics and Mathematics and an interest in Astronomy to pursue their further studies in this field.

Vision: School students will be empowered to recognize and comprehend the celestial objects inhabiting our universe and their association with the evolution and preservation of our lives on earth thereby dispelling superstitious beliefs of their influences prevailing in our society.

Mission: School students will be trained to be abundantly versed with astronomy for logically convincing and communicating with any member of local or international society on the importance and indispensability of cosmic entities dwelling in our universe.

Goal: Our goal is to impart school students with sufficient knowledge on basic astronomy to recognize and understand the heavenly entities for enabling them to participate in annual International Astronomy Olympiad. Objective: School Students will be selected, prepared, facilitated and qualified for their successful participation in annual international astronomy Olympiad.

 National Astronomy Olympiad 2014 (NAO-2014) NAO-2014 is the first National Astronomy Olympiad in Nepal held during January-June, 2014. Selection Round Examination held on March 22, 2014 has total of 131 applicants at its six different examination centers at Damak, Chitwan, Kaski, Syangja and Dang respectively. Though we announced 15 top students from the selection round examination will be qualified for closed camp sessions, we announced the list of 20 students for the second round: closed camp session. The Closed Camp Session was divided into two sections: Pre-Closed Camp Session (Online) and Closed Camp Session in Kathmandu, Nepal. During the Pre-Closed Session, students were provided three different assignments in May 2014. Closed Camp Session was held in Kathmandu during June 1-7, 2014. Only 12 students qualified from this session to Closed Camp, held in Kathmandu, Nepal. During the Closed Camp Session in Kathmandu, vigorous evaluation of the selected students was carried out and 5 Outstanding Students were announced during second week of June, 2014. We are pleased to announced the first National Team to International Olympiad in Astronomy & Astrophysics (IOAA) from Nepal as follows:

Mr. Ashirbad Acharya 
Mr. Kiran Adhikari 
Mr. Bibek Kumar Pandit 
Mr. H C Regan Babu Bhatta 
Mr. Prabesh Koirala

First National Delegation will be lead by Mr. Suresh Bhattarai and co-lead by Ms. Manisha Dwa at Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) NAO-2014 Organizing Committee: Rishi Shah, Chair - Rishi Shah, academician at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), has been promoting astronomy outreach in Nepal since 1980s. He has been actively promoting astronomy outreach working with youths during the decades.Not only is he a regular astronomical columnist at The Rising Nepal, but also has his own weekly radio talk at Radio Sagarmatha 102.4 MHz FM.

Prabodh Rijal, Co-Chair - Prabodh Rijal has been working in the field of school education for almost two decade. He has been promoting science education in Nepal since 1990s with Young Scientist Fair, an enter-school competition/exhibition, where students get an oppertunity to showcase their talents. He is the president of ESPRO Foundation and Director of Eureka High School, Nepaltar, Kathmandu, Nepal.

 

Suresh Bhattarai, Program Coordinator - Suresh Bhattara is co-founder and secretary of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO). He is also working as Chairman at EurAstro World and Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator of Space Generation Advisory Council in Support of United Nations Programme on Space Applications (SGAC), global non-governmental organisation and network which aims to represent university students and young space professionals to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia.

 Manisha Dwa, Member - Manisha Dwa is currently persuing her M.Sc. in Physics with majors: Astrophysics and Plasma Physics at Department of Physics, Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhra, Nepal. She is working as Project Coordinator at Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO). 

 Kishor Acharya,Member - Kishor Acharya is currently studying M.Sc. Physics at St. Xavier's College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal. He is working as Program Coordinator at Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO). He is also National Point of Contact (NPoC) of Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) to Nepal. He is also an Immediate Past President of Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town, RI District 3292, Nepal and Bhutan and acting as Partner in Service Officer for RI District 3292, Nepal and Bhutan.

 Devraj Sapkota, Member - Devraj Sapkota, M.Sc. Physics, is Coordinator of Department of Physics, Damak multiple Campus, Damak, Jhapa. He is also a coordinator of Damak Astronomical Society (DASO), eastern chapter of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) to promote astronomy and space science ooutreach, education and research in Eastern Development Region of Nepal. 

 Sujan Regmi, Member - Sujan Regmi is a founder and current President of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS).He is a graduate student of Physics from Prthvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara affiliated to Tribhuvan University. He has an experience of teaching secondary level science.He is currently working in Chhunumunu Publication Limited in Pokhara as an administrative officer. 

Mahesh Thakuri, Member - Mahesh Thakuri received Bachelor degree in physics from Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara. He is founder vice president of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS). His interest lies in telescope operation, observational astronomy and outreach. Jeevan Lamsal, Member - Jeevan Lamsal is a graduate student of Physics from Prthvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara affiliated to Tribhuvan University. He is a science educator from the last three years in Pokhara. He has an experience of three years teaching science and astronomy in high school. He is a founder and secretary of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS).

 Bikal Ghimire, Representative: Chitwan District - Bikal Ghimire is an youth activist persuing bachelor's degree in Agriculture Science at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur Campus. He is the founder President at SOS HGS Alumni Association Bharatpur that works as a helping hand of SOS Herman Gmeiner School Bharatpur regarding various programs and aims to work on social service as well. He is Joint Secretary of Leo Club of Bharatpur which aims to serve the society with the motto "We Serve". 

Suman Gautam, Representative: Kaski & Syagja Districts - Suman Gautam is a founder and former President of Pokhara Astronomical Society (PAS), Western Chapter of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) to promote astronomy and space science , outreach education and research in western Region. He is pursing his M.Sc. physics from Tribhuvan University Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara, Nepal. He is also the science communicator of Revo Science Media from the Western Region, Nepal and working as the vice chairman of Global hands on Universe Nepal Chapter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIHBQZY9OL0