By Gavin Mackintosh-
In a celestial triumph that reaches beyond the confines of the classroom, Arabi Karteepan, (pictured) the head of physics at Croydon High School, has been bestowed with the prestigious 2024 Royal Astronomical Society Secondary and Further Education Award.
Karteepan’s stellar contributions to promoting Astronomy and Space Science within the educational community have not only garnered her this esteemed recognition but have also sparked the imagination of pupils and the wider public alike.
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Karteepan’s astronomical journey at Croydon High spans three years, during which she has unleashed a wave of excitement and curiosity about the cosmos.
Her passion for astronomy led her to spearhead groundbreaking initiatives, one of which involved orchestrating the first successful launches from a British school of high-altitude meteorological balloons.
Last September, pupils aged 10 to 16 participated in the awe-inspiring “Mission Aspiration” weather balloon launches from the University of Bath campus.
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Rising almost 20 miles up into Earth’s stratosphere, the balloons carried payloads containing cameras, data loggers, GPS trackers, and experiments.
Named after astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell-Burnell and astronaut Helen Sharman, these balloons allowed students to conduct experiments, unraveling the mysteries of how different materials respond to atmospheric conditions.
The school highlighted that Karteepan’s commitment to hands-on, experiential learning provided pupils with a unique and engaging experience, propelling them to the edge of space.
Under Karteepan’s guidance, the Astrogazers Club at Croydon High has flourished, becoming oversubscribed and inspiring students to explore the wonders of science and astronomy. Beyond the school’s walls, the club has even ventured onto YouTube, further disseminating the excitement of celestial exploration.
Annabel Davies, head of Croydon High, expressed immense pride, stating, “We are so proud of Mrs. Karteepan for this prestigious recognition from The Royal Astronomical Society.
Her extraordinary efforts in fostering a love for astronomy and science among our pupils and in the wider community are unparalleled.”
Other winners include Professor Gilles Chabrier, Ecole Normale, Superieure de Lyon, CNRS, and University of Exeter
Professor John-Michael Kendall of University of Oxford also won a gold medal at the event and Professor Emerita Roberta Humphreys, of Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics.
A Legacy in the Stars
The Royal Astronomical Society’s awards committee recognized Karteepan’s infectious passion, noting that her impact resonates far beyond her classroom. Teachers and communicators alike are reaching out to her for advice on promoting space and astronomy in their educational institutions.
In response to receiving the award, Karteepan paid tribute to her late mother, an inspiring teacher, stating, “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Croydon High’s pupils, staff, and parents, as well as those who have inspired my teaching journey.”
She expressed gratitude for the exceptional support from the school community, emphasizing the instrumental role it played in the success of the Astrogazers missions, including the upcoming satellite launch.
The stars, it seems, are no longer the limit for Arabi Karteepan and the astrophysical aspirations she nurtures at Croydon High School.
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