"SolarLab" is an outreach project of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), which is sponsored by the Severo Ochoa programme and enjoys the collaboration of various entities of the Canary Islands*
Its purpose is to communicate to the general public our knowledge of astrophysics and in particular solar physics, as well as presenting the uniqueness of the Canarian Skies for astronomical observation.
During the next two years, and using three highly specialized solar telescopes, we plan to train 300 teachers about (solar) astronomy and reach 80,000 students from 140 schools of the 7 islands, thus reaching approximately 70% of all of the archipelago’s students between 12 and 18 years. In this way they will have the opportunity observe the Sun in detail at least once in their life.

During the first year we will reach the target of training 140 teachers and engaging with 38,500 students in 63 secondary schools throughout the islands. We will also offer them the opportunity to participate in a solar research competition. The prize for the best entry from each island will be a special visit to the IAC facilities in La Laguna and the Observatorio del Teide for four students and one teacher.

A cornerstone of the project will be its website, which provides updated information on the project, provides a link for them to ask the IAC solar physicists questions, download presentations about the Sun, links to manuals, videos and much more useful information ...

Our future intention is to promote this project beyond the Canary Islands, and publicise our experience and make available all the materials and our experience to anyone who wants to use it. (Project webpage – Spanish: http://www.iac.es/solarlab).

*List of collaborators: