African Astronomical Society conference and General Assembly 2025 (AfAS-2025)

Session

Side Event

20 Mar 2025, 09:00

Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort

Conveners

Side Event: BLUEshift Africa 2025

• Linda Strubbe (Strubbe Educational Consulting)

Side Event: African Planetarium Association Biannual Workshop

• Sally Macfarlane (Inter-university Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy)

Side Event: African Lunar Symposium

• Greg Schmidt (NASA)
• James Chibueze (University of South Africa)

Side Event: BLUEshift Africa 2025

• Linda Strubbe (Strubbe Educational Consulting)

Side Event: African Planetarium Association Biannual Workshop

• Sally Macfarlane (Inter-university Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy)

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

Side Event: AfAS-2025 Data Science Hackathon

• There are no conveners in this block

243. Intro information from UNISA

22/03/2025, 08:50

267. SESSION 1: Welcomes and Updates

Sally Macfarlane (Inter-university Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy)

22/03/2025, 09:00

244. Welcome, workshop overview, introductory discussions

22/03/2025, 09:00

Theme: Who are we, why are we here, what are we going to learn

245. How Learning Works, Part 1

22/03/2025, 10:35

Theme: Principles of teaching and learning

246. How Learning Works, Part 2 & Active learning

22/03/2025, 11:00

Theme: Principles of teaching and learning

268. SESSION 2: Planetariums for Community Growth and Development

22/03/2025, 11:00

This session focuses on how planetaria contribute to broader societal development, promoting community engagement, building scientific infrastructure, and driving economic growth.

247. Teaching inclusively. Quick stretch break

22/03/2025, 12:55

Theme: Principles of teaching and learning

270. Workshop 2

Sosina Desu

22/03/2025, 13:30

Building the Future of African Planetaria: Collaboration, Innovation, and Community Impact

248. Teaching case studies

22/03/2025, 14:05

Theme: Principles of teaching and learning

271. Affordable projector concepts

Mr Nico Van der Merwe

22/03/2025, 15:30

249. Principles of Backwards Design

22/03/2025, 15:35

Theme: Designing effective and inclusive teaching activities

250. Challenges of active learning and inclusive teaching

22/03/2025, 16:05

Theme: Designing effective and inclusive teaching activities

251. Introduction: Design an active learning activity

22/03/2025, 16:25

Theme: Designing effective and inclusive teaching activities

252. Day 1 Reflection & Wrap-up

22/03/2025, 16:45

279. Depart Emperor’s Palace Hotel

23/03/2025, 07:30

280. Venue open for assembly

23/03/2025, 08:30

255. Intro information from UNISA

23/03/2025, 08:50

256. BLUEshift: Welcome to Day 2

23/03/2025, 09:00

258. SESSION 3: Planetariums as Tools for Empowering Africa's STEM Future

23/03/2025, 09:00

This session highlights how planetariums serve as critical tools for advancing STEM education and fostering scientific literacy, especially in underserved regions.

263. Welcome and Opening Remarks

23/03/2025, 09:00

• James Chibueze, Distinguished Professor (Astronomy & Astrophysics) At UNISA
• Takalani Nemaungani, Chief Director for the Astronomy portfolio at the Department of
  Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in South Africa
• Greg Schmidt, Director for the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual
  Institute

273. Facilitating Think-Pair-Share & Group Work

23/03/2025, 09:15

264. Session 1

James Chibueze (University of South Africa)

23/03/2025, 09:20

274. Design an active learning activity, Part 1

23/03/2025, 10:00

275. Design an active learning activity, Part 2

23/03/2025, 11:00

260. SESSION 4: Planetaria and the Power of Stories: Connecting Culture and Science

23/03/2025, 11:00

This session focuses on the power of storytelling in creating engaging and culturally relevant content that connects audiences with astronomy.

265. Session 2

Charles Takalana (SAAO)

23/03/2025, 11:15

276. Design an active learning activity, Part 3: Gallery walk & discussion. Quick stretch break

23/03/2025, 13:00

261. APA Business Session

23/03/2025, 13:30

Committee Selection
Vision cocreation session

277. Reflecting on our teaching

23/03/2025, 14:10

269. Session 3

Greg Schmidt, Kristina Gibbs

23/03/2025, 14:35

262. Excursion: Wits Anglo American Digital Dome

23/03/2025, 15:00

278. Further resources, Parking Lot questions, Closing

23/03/2025, 15:55

272. Session 3 cont.

Greg Schmidt, Kristina Gibbs

23/03/2025, 16:00

266. Discover Your Place in the Universe: A Cosmic Journey to Self-Discovery

Dominic Vertue (Office of Astronomy for Development)

Talk

WORKSHOP 1

254. IPS updates

Susan Murabana

259. Morning Tea/Coffee

253. Welcome and Opening

Talk