The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) launched its educational “Open Week,” designed to introduce school students to the diverse specializations of astronomy, space sciences and technology, help them develop their knowledge and scientific skills and explore potential future careers in these vital fields. The program ran for a full week until December 26, 2024, under the supervision of experts and specialists.

The program featured a series of interactive activities and workshops that emphasized the Academy's role in promoting a culture of scientific curiosity among students and inspiring them to pursue careers in space and astronomy. It included tours of scientific exhibits and educational displays, showcasing advanced systems in the Sharjah Planetarium. Students also enjoyed unique astronomical shows, such as the Aurora Polaris, Northern Lights, and the Birth of Planet Earth, which focus on significant celestial phenomena.

Participants received hands-on training on using various types of telescopes, including both software-guided and manual models, as well as reflective and refractive telescopes. The training emphasized programming the telescopes for precise alignment and observation of celestial bodies. As a result, the participants successfully observed several celestial bodies, such as Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, which are also visible to the naked eye, in addition to stars and nebulae by using the telescopes. They also practiced astrophotography, capturing images of celestial objects using telescope-connected cameras, followed by processing, and analyzing the photos to enhance their quality.

The program included lectures that introduced space weather and the ionosphere, as well as insights into CubeSat technology and its applications. Discussions covered the use of artificial intelligence in space sciences and its applications in astronomy, in addition to an overview of the life cycle of meteoroids.