Hands-on learning at a world-class telescope

TL;DR

This paper describes a multi-year observational campaign at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, providing hands-on experience to undergraduate students and demonstrating its impact on their educational development.

Contribution

It presents the first multi-year student-led observing campaign at a world-class telescope, highlighting educational benefits and practical skills gained.

Findings

Students gained practical observing skills

Enhanced teamwork and collaboration among students

Positive impact on students' academic paths

Abstract

For the first time, an Italian University has the possibility to perform a multi-year observing campaign at a world-class telescope. This hands-on experience had a significant impact on the students' university path: from learning specific observing techniques on-site to teamwork and collaboration. In this paper we present the results of an observing campaign carried out at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) located in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) by undergraduate students of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, at the University of Firenze.