Speaker
Description
Education and public engagement are vital components of fostering a science-driven society, especially in developing regions where access to scientific resources may be limited. This poster highlights the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) Mobile Planetarium’s role in promoting astronomy education and inspiring scientific curiosity in Namibia, emphasizing its potential as a model for similar educational programs across Africa.
The AMT Mobile Planetarium serves as a traveling educational tool, bringing immersive astronomy experiences to schools and communities across Namibia. Through interactive programs, students and the public engage with topics such as the solar system, stellar evolution, and the universe’s large-scale structure. The curriculum is designed to align with national educational standards while encouraging active learning and critical thinking.
We describe the planetarium's content development process, which integrates culturally relevant storytelling with cutting-edge astronomical science. This approach ensures that complex scientific concepts are made accessible and relatable. The team collaborates with local educators and astronomers to continuously update and improve the program offerings.
The AMT Mobile Planetarium also collaborates with the Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (NATH) to offer specialized astronomy courses for tour guides. This initiative enhances guides' knowledge of astronomy, boosting astrotourism in Namibia by enabling them to deliver informed stargazing experiences to visitors.
Finally, the poster also discusses the planetarium’s broader outreach impact, including inspiring career interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and fostering a sense of shared ownership of Africa’s expanding astronomical infrastructure. Statistical insights from outreach events and testimonials from participants demonstrate the program's effectiveness. With continued support and collaboration, the hope is that the AMT Mobile Planetarium can serve as a cornerstone for building scientific literacy and nurturing the next generation of African scientists and innovators.
| Stream | Education Development and Outreach |
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