Astro3DBol Project: An Educational Kit on Astronomy Fundamentals and Archaeoastronomy

Gabriel Andres Jaimes Illanes
18 oct 2025
2 Min. de lectura

Hello Astronomers!

Astro3DBol is an educational project developed under the International Astronomical Union (IAU) – Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) Funding Scheme, created entirely by a volunteer team. The initiative aimed to strengthen astronomy education in Bolivia by merging scientific knowledge with cultural heritage through the creation of 3D-printed educational kits on astronomy fundamentals and archaeoastronomy. Funded by the OAD and implemented at no cost to participants, the project designed, modeled, fabricated, and distributed 100 kits that included Tiwanaku-inspired structures, Indigenous constellation figures, and academic guides aligned with Bolivia’s national curriculum. These materials promote hands-on learning about solar motion, solstices, equinoxes, and cultural astronomy. Through workshops involving 70 educators and outreach activities reaching over 800 students and 300 members of the public, Astro3DBol demonstrated how open-source 3D printing and community collaboration can enhance STEM education, cultural identity, and scientific curiosity in developing regions.

Astro3DBol is an educational Bolivian project that combines astronomy, 3D technology, and cultural heritage to promote inclusive and contextualized learning of Tiwanakotan archaeoastronomy.

Project Mission

Astro3DBol aims to develop educational 3D models for use in introductory astronomy classes, focusing on archaeoastronomy in the context of the Tiwanakotan culture of Bolivia.

The main goals of the project are:

To create free educational kits for teachers, students, and enthusiasts of astronomy and pre-Incan cultures.
To strengthen interdisciplinary learning through workshops, visual guides, and tactile models.
To involve students and professionals in the design and fabrication of 3D models.
The project is supported by Fundación FESA, the Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD), and NAEC Bolivia.

Educational Models

Model A: Kalasasaya Temple

An architectural representation of the Kalasasaya solar temple, a central structure of the Tiwanaku archaeological site.

Key Concepts:

Positional and temporal astronomy.
Observation of solstices and equinoxes.
Solar movement throughout the year.
Interactions:
- Visual
- Tactile
- Simulated artificial lighting

Model B: Gate of the Sun

Iconographic representation of the Tiwanakotan conception of time, through the symbolic Gate of the Sun.

Key Concepts:

Cyclical time and astronomical symbolism.
Iconographic analysis of the Tiwanakotan calendar.
Interactions:
- Visual
- Tactile
- Shading/Drawing

Model C: Andean Constellations

Printable worksheets with Andean constellations for interactive classroom use.

Key Concepts:

Sky-culture relationships in the Andes.
Recognition of cultural shapes in the night sky.
Interactions:
- Visual
- Guided drawing activity
- Audiovisual Resources
- Instructional Video: How to Use the Educational Kit
- Instructional Video