Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Outreach at astronomy facilities and organisations across Africa

July 29 @ 8:00 am - August 11 @ 5:00 pm

Visit local schools and communities in South Africa during National Science Week

In the week preceding the IAU-GA, coordinated by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), South Africa will celebrate its annual National Science Week, scheduled for 29 July – 11 August. Participants are invited to engage in various activities by volunteering for outreach efforts across different regions of the country, presenting a unique opportunity to explore its diverse landscapes.

Delegates will collaborate with local science centres, schools, and the broader science engagement community to facilitate outreach and educational activities. These activities will include astronomy talks, stargazing sessions, and workshops. Additionally, astronomers are encouraged to deliver public talks at universities not only in South Africa but also across the entire continent.

Current Available Hosts (list to be updated):

______________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Talk at Theatre with community together with star gazing experience in Victoria West in the Karoo

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Community

Dates for hosting the guests:  17 or 18 August 2024

Contact Person: Caroline Ungersbock

Contact Email: caroline@stpp.co.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Christoph Meyer Maths & Science Centre

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: -outreach talks at schools and local community and potential career prospects in this field – raising awareness

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Learners/Community

Dates for hosting the guests:  2 – 4 August 2024

Contact Person: Dorothy Mlambo

Contact Email: dorrymlambo@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: University of Pretoria

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach talks at schools and institutions.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  High school learners and university students

Dates for hosting the guests:  After March 2024

Contact Person: Thephilus Matsepane

Contact Email: u21852155@tuks.co.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Unizulu Science Centre (University of Zululand)

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach talks, workshops and activities in schools and during school visits to the Science Centre. Presentations during National Science week. Lectures and talks at the University of Zululand. Public interest talks in Richards Bay and Mtunzini

Intended audience for the planned activities:Rural and township schools, Science Centre visitors, students and faculty at Unizulu, general public

Dates for hosting the guests: Before OR after the GA. ie 29 July to 3 August (NSW) OR 19 to 23 August

Contact Person: Derek Fish

Contact Email: thefish@iafrica.com

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: University of Cape Town and SARAO Collaboration

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Workshop for Spanish-institutions based researchers as well as participants – mainly from Southern African countries – with professional links with Spain attending the meeting. These participants would have a half-a-day workshop prior to the IAU 2024 meeting in order to discuss the ways to increase such collaborations in the near future in both research topics, exchange of students, short visits and possibilities of co-funding PhDs, experiments, etc. Funding has been already secured from the Embassy of Spain to South Africa, Government of Spain and the Ramon Areces Foundation.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Spanish-institutions based researchers as well as participants – mainly from Southern African countries – with professional links with Spain attending the meeting. Also a public talk at the Centre for the Book for non-specialized audiences where a collaboration between Southern Africa (South Africa in particular) and Spain is given. Attendance of the talk: around 50-70 people. Also, some of the researchers could deliver talks in high schools of Western Cape teaching Spanish, so the students could get a glimpse about the science (astronomy and related disciplines) made in Spain and in Spanish-speaking countries. Also a visit to the SAAO Cape Town for Spanish community resident in Cape Town could be organised.

Dates for hosting the guests:  Before 05 August 2024, maybe 04 August or a day during the IAU meeting with no other activities for delegates.

Contact Person: Alvaro Dombriz

Contact Email: alvaro.delacruzdombriz@uct.ac.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: North-West University

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Workshop for educators, outreach talks at schools, Public lectures at the university.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Educators, learners and students

Dates for hosting the guests:  5 & 6 or 7 August 2024

Contact Person: Lerato Molebatsi

Contact Email: lerato.molebatsi@nwu.ac.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: NWU Potchefstroom 

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: 

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Educator’s workshop, Colloquium, Talks at schools, Role playing

Dates for hosting the guests:  6 – 8 August 2024

Contact Person: Mogomotsi Moeng

Contact Email: Mogomotsi.Moeng@nwu.ac.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: DITSONG Museums of South Africa

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach talks to learners on site

Intended audience for the planned activities:  School learners

Dates for hosting the guests:  5 and 6  August 2024

Contact Person: Dinazana Legwase

Contact Email: bongi@ditsong.org.za

Website: http://www.ditsong.org.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: South African National Space Agency

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach Talks at schools, Space Public talks at SANSA, Inhouse hands on activities at SANSA Science Center, Educator Workshops

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Learners, Teachers, Students, General Public and Researchers

Dates for hosting the guests:  7, 8, 13 and 14 August 2024

Contact Person: Thandile Vuntu

Contact Email: tvuntu@sansa.org.za

Website: http://www.sansa.org.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Nelson Mandela University

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: 2 public lectures, night sky viewing with telescope, symposium at the auditorium, ocean views and galaxy formation at the planetarium and digital dome, Outreach talks at Hilltown schools, The university is situated in a game reserve called Nelson Mandela Nature reserve, so a trial walk is inevitable, Exhibition day of current work from entities/ departments of sciences

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Surrounding Schools, students at the university, and experts of the astronomical field and anyone interested in astronomy

Dates for hosting the guests:  18 July – 09 August 2024

Contact Person: Azwinndini Muronga

Contact Email: science.marketing@mandela.ac.za

Website: https://www.mandela.ac.za/

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: ArcelorMittal Science Centre/SAASTEC

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Workshops ; Outreach talks to schools, college  students and the public; sky viewing

Intended audience for the planned activities:  teachers, learners, college students and the general public

Dates for hosting the guests:  06-15 August 2023 but can be before or after this period depending on the availability of the guests

Contact Person: Tebogo Habedi

Contact Email: tebogo@amsasciencecentre.co.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: GTCF

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Colloquium on Space Economy and Robotics, Educational Robotics training workshops (aerial/terrestrial robots), Careers Exhibition & Talk: Astronomy and related careers in the 4IR, Robotics Competition/Showpiece

Intended audience for the planned activities:  TVET College Students, Staff and Stakeholders, schools in Mopani and out of school youth

Dates for hosting the guests:  01 August: Colloquium; 03 August  Careers Talk; 06 August Careers Exhibition 

Contact Person: Motshewa Maleta

Contact Email: pmaleta.gtcf@gmail.com

Website: http://www.gtcf.org.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Stellenbosch University

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach talks, popular talks, colloquia, Physics Department Open Day

Intended audience for the planned activities:  School learners, undergraduate students, postgraduates in physics and astrophysics, and the general public

Dates for hosting the guests:  29 July – 2 August 2024

Contact Person: Anslyn John

Contact Email: anslyn@sun.ac.za

Website: https://www.sun.ac.za/english

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Nelson Mandela Bay Science & Technology Centre

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach talks at schools, host workshop with schools and community members at the facility based in Kariega

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Students from local schools, educators, and the general public with an interest in science and technology. Our goal is to inspire young minds, provide educational support in the fields of science and technology, and increase community engagement with scientific research and innovation

Dates for hosting the guests:  We are flexible with our hosting dates but are primarily looking to schedule these activities between 6-15 August 2024. The week before or after that would also work fine

Contact Person: Singathwa Poswa

Contact Email: singathwa.poswa@mbda.co.za

Website: www.nmbstc.co.zawww.mbda.co.za

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: University of the Western Cape

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Visit our ARVR Innovation Hub and participate with learners in discovering astronomy

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Visiting academics, science funding agencies and high school learners.

Dates for hosting the guests:  During the conference

Contact Person: Laurine  Platzky

Contact Email: lplatzky@uwc.ac.za

Website: https://innovationhub.uwc.ac.za/

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Sol Plaatje University

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Outreach Talks at Schools and Local Communities, Seminars at the University

Intended audience for the planned activities:  University Students and Public

Dates for hosting the guests:  ‘August 2024

Contact Person: Owen Beukes

Contact Email: 202000695@spu.ac.za

Website: https://www.spu.ac.za/

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: University of Limpopo Science Centre

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Public Lecture at University, Outreach talks at School, Teacher Workshop, Stargazing

Intended audience for the planned activities:  School Learners and Teachers, University students and Staff members and General Public

Dates for hosting the guests:  29 July-02 August 2024

Contact Person: Sandile Rikhotso

Contact Email: sandile.rikhotso@ul.ac.za

Website: https://www.ul.ac.za/index.php?Entity=spms_science_cen

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Tzaneen Science Centre

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: outreach talks at schools and TVET Colleges, colloquiums, robotics workshops, stargazing, astronomy careers orientation program, nh4IR project development and resource mobilisation for indigenous knowledge  promotion in astronomy

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Learners and teachers in schools and TVET Colleges, unemployed youth, science centre staff, government departments (education, tourism,  science & innovation) 

Dates for hosting the guests:  2 – 5 August

Contact Person: Motshewa Maleta

Contact Email:  pmaleta.gtcf@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________

Institution/Affiliation: Inter-university Institute for Data-intensive Astronomy (IDIA)

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: The overarching goal of the Inter-university Institute for Data-intensive Astronomy (IDIA) is to build within the South African university research community the capacity and expertise in data intensive research (using 4th Industrial Revolution tools such as cloud computing and virtual reality) to enable global leadership on MeerKAT large survey science projects and large projects on other SKA pathfinder telescopes. Delegates will be able to visit and engage with researchers and developers at the University of Cape Town (UCT)-based office for IDIA. During this time, they can also choose to present their research at UCT, and visit the IDIA Data Visualisation Lab, based both at UCT and the Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Delegates; IDIA staff, UCT staff and students

Dates for hosting the guests:  July – August 2024 (or anytime researchers wish to visit)

Contact Person: Sally Macfarlane

Contact Email: sally@idia.ac.za

Website: https://idia.ac.za/ , https://vislab.idia.ac.za/


Visit astronomy facilities and organisations across Africa

Delegates will get the exciting opportunity to connect with communities across Africa, embarking on a collective exploration of the wonders of astronomy. During this program, delegates will be hosted at various official centres across Africa to conduct science, outreach and education activities during August 2024 (before, during, and after the IAU GA2024). Our main objectives with this program are to foster networking opportunities, shed light on the potential career prospects in this field, and to engage as many individuals as possible to raise awareness in Africa about the captivating world of astronomy. This presents an incredible opportunity to create a real impact, inspiring communities to ensure that the benefits of astronomy and scientific exploration are accessible to all.

Current available hosts (list to be updated):

___________________________________________________________

Botswana

Institution/Affiliation: Botswana International of Science and Technology

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Safari tour guides training, outreach talks in schools (Junior and Secondary schools), Teacher training and star gazing shows for the general public.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Safari Tour guides, Students, Teachers, tourists, and the general public

Dates for hosting the guests:  29 July 2024 – 02 August 2024

Contact Person: Kushatha Ntwaetsile

Contact Email: ntwaetsilek@biust.ac.bw

 ______________________________________________________

Burkina Faso 

Institution/Affiliation: Universit Joseph KI ZERBO

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: School

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Students and schools teachers

Dates for hosting the guests:  From 1 July 2024

Contact Person: Zacharie KAM

Contact Email: zacharie.kam@ujkz.bf

 ______________________________________________________

Egypt

Institution/Affiliation: The British University in Egypt

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Primarily interested in public talks on topical subjects in astrophysics and cosmology by established scientists. Talks may be given at the British University in Egypt, in collaboration with student groups and astronomy clubs at Egyptian universities. Can also arrange for public talks at other universities and at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  University students (not necessarily limited to science students). Also high school students and the general public.

Dates for hosting the guests:  Early March 2024 is ideal, but almost any other time is feasible (except during Ramadan, which is from about 10 March to 9 April)

Contact Person: Amr El-Zant

Contact Email: amr.elzant@bue.edu.eg

___________________________________________________________

Ethiopia

Institution/Affiliation: Dambi Dollo University, Ethiopian Space Science Society Dambi Dollo Branch

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Variable Star Astronomy for promoting science education. Indigenous Astronomy, Solar Science

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Students, Teachers, Researcher and Decission makers

Dates for hosting the guests:  August

Contact Person: Abduselam Mohammed Yasin

Contact Email: abdiphy@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________

Namibia

Institution/Affiliation: Africa Millimeter Telescope

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: outreach talks at schools (and universities) and local communities, radio interviews, mobile planetarium school visits, telescope outreach activities (star gazing evenings) etc.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  University students, schools students, general public

Dates for hosting the guests:  29 July – 23 August

Contact Person: Zandr Duvenhage

Contact Email: zandre.duvenhage@ru.nl

___________________________________________________________

Namibia

Institution/Affiliation: University of Namibia (UNAM) & Namibia Scientific Society (NSS)

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: outreach talks at schools and local communities, workshops, colloquium at Institutes

Intended audience for the planned activities:  School learners, general public, university students (under- and postgraduate)

Dates for hosting the guests:  about 22 July – 31 August, but also longer

Contact Person: Michael Backes

Contact Email: mbackes@unam.na

___________________________________________________________

Nigeria

Institution/Affiliation: Space Tourism Society Africa, Lead City University

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Talk at Schools, visit to space center, and most importantly meet with the Head of the University.

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Secondary school students and some university students

Dates for hosting the guests:  From 26 June 2024

Contact Person: Paul Oladunni

Contact Email: spacemediatechnologies@yahoo.com

___________________________________________________________

Nigeria

Institution/Affiliation: Nigerian Space Agency/Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) Nigeria

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Schools outreach, IDP camps outreach, visit to the Space Agency, Space Museum, Side Walk Astronomy events, courtesy visits to Government offices directly involved with Space programs/STEM

Intended audience for the planned activities:  Hundreds of School kids, kids at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, government officials, general public

Dates for hosting the guests:  Pre and post IAU GA

Contact Person: Olayinka Fagbemiro

Contact Email: yinkaojay@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________

Tunisia

Institution/Affiliation: Monastir Science Palace / Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Planned Outreach, Education or Science activities: Workshops, Hands on science activities, meeting, camps, festival …

Intended audience for the planned activities: Public

Dates for hosting the guests:  July and/or August 2024

Contact Person: Slimene Sedrette

Contact Email: ssedrette@gmail.com

 

Details

Start:
July 29 @ 8:00 am
End:
August 11 @ 5:00 pm
Event Categories:
,

Details

Start:
July 29 @ 8:00 am
End:
August 11 @ 5:00 pm
Event Categories:
,