Speaker
Description
With increasing Astronomical research and development in the African continent, fostering early engagement in astronomy to high school learners is crucial in nurturing the next generation of African astronomers. A pilot project established through the collaboration of South African and Zambian schools aimed to use the Astronomy and Space Science debate as a potential tool to engage African high school students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The project’s main objective in using debates centered around astronomy and space science topics was to serve as a powerful medium for promoting scientific curiosity, critical thinking, group work collaboration as well as communication skills among the high school students.
Students from the two countries showcased amazing comprehension skills on key space science issues—such as the future of space exploration, the role of African countries in the global space race, and the ethical considerations of space colonization. This collaboration further cements the idea that even hundreds of kilometers cannot stop young minds from reaching for the stars and to inspire the next generation of scientists.
The presentation to follow will highlight on the findings of the project and look at possibilities of how the success of the Zambian and South African collaboration might lay the foundation to the expansion of more collaborations within the African continent for better education and exposure of learners in STEM fields—and thus venturing into said careers.
| Stream | Education Development and Outreach |
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