Journey to Spiti: An Exploration of Earth, Sky, and Self

Astronomy for 6th Grade, Inspired by the Steiner Waldorf Pedagogy

Here’s a tribute to our 12-day Journey from Pune to Spiti and Back! An Exploration in Humane Education, Astronomy & Geology.

What Did We Learn?

We gained a profound, expansive perspective on life as a whole, discovering more about our existence in this vast world.

The primary academic goal of the trip was to delve into geology and astronomy. Geology extends beyond memorizing facts about rocks, and astronomy is more than theories about space and the solar system. True understanding involves immersing ourselves in these subjects, connecting with the sun, moon, stars, and earth to experience our relationship with them. Spiti provided the perfect setting for this exploration!

Before the trip, students marked the sun's position at sunrise and sunset weekly for over four months, observing the southward movement of the sun and the angles of sunrise and sunset. The focus of the trip was predominantly on the stars—their rise and set, angular movement, and the position of significant constellations. We also tracked the moon daily, noting its shape and observing its later rise with each passing day.

Coupled with navigation stories and experiences of Earth as a globe, students delved into the relationship between Earth, the sun, and the zodiac constellations. This exploration led to an understanding of the Earth's 23.5-degree tilt that influences global seasons. The study of lunar phases and monthly cycles provided additional insights into the moon's relationship with Earth, contributing to a comprehensive grasp of celestial phenomena.

This immersive introduction fostered spatial orientation and a newfound sense of self in the world. Feeling like the center of the universe, yet recognizing each one's centrality in their own universe, provided a vital spiritual insight into oneness and connection with the universe and humanity.

This trip went further beyond academic pursuits. It involved acclimatizing to extreme atmospheric conditions, offering valuable insights into our bodies and their needs. Our final destination, the tiny village of La Lung in the high Himalayan mountains, provided a homestay experience with a delightful couple. Interactions with local children, a day of cultural exchange at the village school where we shared songs, games, and stories, and learned their folk songs and kabaddi, were profound lessons in discovering 'Who I Am' and 'Who I Can Be'—a beautiful exploration of humanity.

Watch the video on top to see for yourself – it beautifully summarizes the essence of our entire trip, thanks to the fantastic video editing skills of Hardik Vaghela.

Coming soon! My 6th-grade Astronomy lesson plan, guiding educators on references, preparation, and delivering an immersive, meaningful learning experience for children.