© 2024 IAU General Assembly 2024 – Cape Town
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):
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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
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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
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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
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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.za , www.mbda.co.za
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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/
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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/
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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
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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
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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):
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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