Outreach Activities - IAU General Assembly 2024

What is your name?

Please give your full name.

How would you like to be addressed?

Please indicate how you would like to be addressed in communications with you. Examples might be "John", "Jane Doe" or "Ms Mnegwa".

What is your email address?

Please give your email address. We will use this for communicating with you. If you take part in a school visit, it might be shared with the school for the purpose of coordinating the visit.

What is your organisation/affiliation?

Please give your organisation(s)/affiliation(s).

How would you like to get involved?

We are planning a variety of events: Teacher training workshops will be held, either virtually or in-person. There will be school visits throughout the GA and activities for school groups at the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC) and Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome. On 10 August, there will be a public event at the V&A Waterfront, which will include a public talk and star-gazing. On 11 August, we plan to engage with the public on Signal Hill and at the Promenade. The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) will host several Open Nights and public talks will be held at various Cape Town venues, for which speakers are needed. We are also considering events for diners in some of Cape Town's restaurants. You may also offer activities not listed here by selecting the Other option.

Other than those listed in the previous question, what other outreach activities you would like to get involved with?

When would you be available?

Please choose all the time slots when you would be available for taking part in outreach activities. All times listed are in SAST (UT + 02:00).

Do you have any limitations on the times selected above?

Which age groups would you be comfortable with?

Please select the age groups which you would be comfortable to engage with during a school visit or public event.

Would you be happy to get to the school, Planetarium, or Cape Town Science Centre on your own?

Yes, I would be happy to get there on my own
No, I would not be happy to get there on my own

Due to the number of schools and volunteers, we might not be able to provide transport for everyone. We therefore would like to know whether you would be comfortable with making your own way to the school, Planetarium or Science Centre and back, for example by using an Uber. We will not be providing transport for other public events.

Would you like to be accompanied by a GA2024 volunteer

Yes, that would be great
No, I'm fine without

If needed, we will try our best to have a volunteer accompany you to the school, Planetarium or Science Centre. However, if there is too much interest, we unfortunately might not be able to organise a volunteer for everyone.

What kind of activities would you like to offer?

Please choose the kind of activities you would be happy to offer. Mention any other activities you could offer in the next question.

Are there any other activities you could offer that are not mentioned in the previous question?

What would be the topic of your science talk or Q&A session?

Please describe what your talk would be about.

What would be your hands-on activity?

Please describe the hands-on activity you would like to offer.

Which teacher training workshops would you be happy to conduct?

Which type of event would you be happy to participate in?

In-person event
Virtual event

In addition to the in-person events we are also planning to host virtual events, so that schools outside Cape Town may participate as well. Please indicate whether you are happy to take part in an in-person event, a virtual event, or both.

Would be willing to conduct in-person engagements at other institutions outside of Cape Town or even outside of South Africa? If so, where?

If you are travelling in Africa before or after the GA2024 and would be happy to conduct public outreach, there might be some opportunities. We will get back to you with more details if there is an option for your travel destination.

What is your experience with public outreach?

Please let us know about your experience with public outreach.

Would you wear a "Ask me! I'm an Astronomer!" badge?

Yes, I'd wear such a badge
No, I'd rather not wear such a badge

If there is sufficient interest, we are considering to offer "Ask me! I'm an Astronomer!" badges for the GA participants to wear and to publicise the badge on the media, so that Cape Town residents can get into conversation with you.

Do you have any other ideas?

If you have any cool ideas for outreach activities that could be offered during the GA, please let us know.