Good Practice - Project
Building the CWINT astronomic observatory with a revolving dome in Parzynów
Establishing a new educational and research observatory facility boosts tourism and culture in Parzynów.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M19: LEADER/CLLD
Beneficiary type
- Local association
Summary
The John Paul II Centre of Knowledge and New Technologies (CWINT Association) in Parzynów, Poland aimed to promote, foster and deepen scientific knowledge in the area of astronomy. The LEADER-funded project consisted of the construction of an astronomic observatory equipped with a revolving dome. The observatory allowed for year-round observation and the implementation of a wider range of community educational activities. The aim was to improve cooperation with similar organisations in Poland and abroad.
The project has increased the local community's knowledge of astronomy and science and achieved an intergenerational exchange of experience. Various initiatives were organised. The observatory opens the door to the world of knowledge and science in a setting that was considered disadvantaged. The project created considerable educational and developmental opportunities for children, youth and adults in the rural area.
Results
- The construction of the observatory broadened the educational and research activities of CWINT in line with its social and environmental goals. The association’s reach thereby increased.
- The principal success of the project was the establishment of new cooperations and networking activities with educational and research institutions in Poland and across Europe.
- The project had a very positive impact on children, young people and adults who benefitted from the educational work of the association.
Promoter
Total budget: 7 299 (EUR)
EAFRD: 3 673 (EUR)
National/Regional: 2 100 (EUR)
Private/own: 1 526 (EUR)
Funding
Total budget: 7 299 (EUR)
EAFRD: 3 673 (EUR)
National/Regional: 2 100 (EUR)
Private/own: 1 526 (EUR)
Ressources
Documents
Good Practice Report - Building the CWINT astronomic observatory with a revolving dome in Parzynów
(PDF – 1.33 Mo)
Context
The John Paul II Centre of Knowledge and New Technologies (CWINT Association) was established in 2014 and is based in the small village of Parzynów (500 inhabitants), Poland. Its premises are located in an exceptional natural environment encompassing the highest hills in Greater Poland, creating an ideal location for astronomical observations.
The CWINT Association aims to promote, foster and deepen scientific knowledge in the area of astronomy. Other organisational goals are to raise awareness of natural sciences and inform the local community by conducting educational study trips, workshops and seminars for children, youth and adults on space, astronomy and physics.
The exceptional natural environment of the site and CWINT’s surrounding area, in terms of light and atmospheric pollution, create key conditions for observation. CWINT fully complies with the UNESCO Declarations of Tenerife (1994) and La Palma (2007) – “Future generations have the right to a pristine and uncontaminated Earth, including the right to a clear sky. A dark sky is the cultural, scientific and environmental heritage of humanity.”
To maximise the association’s full potential of delivering educational and research activities, investment was necessary to build a suitable astronomic observatory with a revolving dome. This new facility also increased and strengthened the association’s research activities through national and international cooperation.
When the local Ostrzeszów Local Action Group promoted its community-led local development strategy and its support of social, economic and environmental projects, CWINT took the initiative to submit a LEADER funding application.
Objectives
The principal aim of the LEADER-funded project was to establish a new educational and research facility through the construction of an astronomic observatory with a revolving dome. In addition, the aim was to expand research activities. The new facility would also provide a new tourism and cultural focus for the territory of the LAG and across southern Poland.
Activities
At the outset, the necessary technical requirements were explored before writing and submitting the LEADER funding application. The project team made an effort to demonstrate that the project was sustainable and that the safety of the facility’s users was ensured. Furthermore, the project team carefully assessed the various options for acquiring and installing an automatic revolving dome for an astronomic observatory.
Once the application was approved, the main project activities centred around preparing the site and building the facility. The self-supporting dome is set on a steel structure, allowing 360° rotation. Observation is possible due to automatic moveable covers. The dome is 4.5 metres high, and the opening is 3.5 metres. Opening and closing of the covers is fully automatic, electronically synchronised and computer controlled. The construction and installation works were successfully carried out in 2017.
Main results
- The construction of the observatory broadened the educational and research activities of CWINT in line with its social and environmental goals. The association’s reach and engagement with both the local population and many people from Poland and abroad thereby increased.
- The principal success of the project was the establishment of new cooperations and networking activities with educational and research institutions in Poland and across Europe. This included academic and research institutions such as the universities in Poznań and Wrocław, the Copernicus Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Kraków, the EC1 Planetarium and Science and Technology Centre in Łódź as well as CERN in Geneva.
- Through wider cooperation and networking, meetings and conferences were organised that enabled children, young people and adults to interact and exchange ideas with European and world leaders in science and technology.
- Establishing an astronomical observatory improved not only the observation of space but also enabled the recording of dust and light pollution, thereby informing and contributing to relevant environmental actions to improve living conditions. This is important given the significant influence of atmospheric pollution on human health.
- The project had a very positive impact on children, young people and adults who benefitted from the association's educational work. By working jointly with schools and scouting groups, the project engaged its young people in environmental protection activities.
Key lessons
The observatory, run as part of the Knowledge Centre in Parzynów, opened the door to the world of knowledge and science in a rural setting that had been considered disadvantaged. Despite the rural village location, the project enabled the centre to develop considerable educational and developmental opportunities for children, youth and adults in the rural area. This shows that institutions engaged in similar work supporting science and initiatives aiming to develop rural areas can be inspired by this project. It is possible for any locality to implement such a project.
Astonishment and incredulity – huge congratulations to CWINT for allowing people to touch the stars and knowledge at the highest levels in such a small municipality.