20–28 Mar 2025
Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort
Africa/Johannesburg timezone

First-Year Outreach and Education Initiatives of the Mozambican Astronomical Society

27 Mar 2025, 14:00
15m
Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort

Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort

64 Jones Rd, Kempton Park, Johannesburg, 1620
Talk Outreach initiatives Across Africa Education, Development, and Outreach (EDO)

Speaker

Mr Toivo Samuel Mabote (Associação Moçambicana de Astronomia (AMAS) & Rhodes University)

Description

Since 2017, when the DARA (Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy) basic training program began in Mozambique, we have made significant progress in advancing astronomy in the country. However, the community of astronomers in Mozambique remains very small, with only 13 astronomers currently. To address this, we recently established the Mozambican Astronomical Society (Associação Moçambicana de Astronomia – AMAS). AMAS is a non-governmental organization dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding of astronomy in Mozambique. In this presentation, we will discuss the first year of our Outreach and Education activities. Recognizing the limited access to astronomy-related education and resources, AMAS has implemented a variety of outreach initiatives aimed at different communities. Through stargazing events, interactive workshops, culturally relevant storytelling sessions, and collaborations with schools and institutions, AMAS is nurturing curiosity about astronomy and expanding knowledge in the field. This presentation aims to showcase our efforts to bring astronomy to Mozambique, highlighting both the current achievements and challenges we face, as well as potential future obstacles. We hope to inspire participants with valuable insights on establishing and implementing effective astronomy outreach initiatives, particularly in underserved regions. By sparking curiosity about the cosmos, AMAS demonstrates how astronomy can be a powerful tool for promoting scientific literacy and community engagement.

Stream Education Development and Outreach

Primary author

Mr Toivo Samuel Mabote (Associação Moçambicana de Astronomia (AMAS) & Rhodes University)

Co-author

Mr Francisco Macucule (Associação Moçambicana de Astronomia (AMAS) & UNISA)

Presentation materials

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