Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2026 Newsletter
Inquiry, observation and citizen science We grounded the project in an inquirybased approach supported by citizen science. Instead of introducing light pollution as a theoretical topic, we invited students to investigate it through direct observation and data collection in their own environments. This shift allowed scientific understanding to emerge through practice, comparison and interpretation, while also helping students experience how individual contributions can become part of a wider research process.
At the centre of the scientific work, we used the Globe at Night platform, one of the most established international citizen science initiatives focused on light pollution.
Between 9 and 20 February 2026, students observed the night sky from their homes or holiday locations – during the Carnival break in several partner schools – and submitted their measurements to a global database. These observations formed both part of an authentic research initiative and the shared dataset for collaborative analysis within our partnership.
Collaborative analysis and shared perspectives on the sky We supported students in comparing observations collected across different countries in order to identify patterns in sky brightness and reflect on the environmental, geographical and social factors influencing light pollution. Differences between urban and rural contexts, as well as between regions, became meaningful analytical entry points grounded in empirical evidence.
The constellation Orion, visible across all participating countries during the observation period, provided a shared reference point. Beyond its scientific role, it functioned as an interdisciplinary bridge connecting astronomy with mythology, literature and visual arts, showing how a single natural phenomenon can be interpreted through multiple curricular perspectives.
A particularly meaningful dimension of the project was the participation of students from the Human Support Association in Nablus, in the West Bank, who actively contributed by collecting night sky observation data in their local area.
Their involvement, carried out under extremely challenging political and socioeconomic conditions, added a powerful human and ethical dimension to the scientific work. It reminded us that collaborative inquiry can transcend
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