Speaker
Description
Sustainable astronomy outreach in Africa requires models that multiply impact, strengthen local capacity, and ensure long-term engagement. This paper presents Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) Nigeria’s implementation of the Cascade Outreach Model, a framework designed to expand access to astronomy education through mentorship, teacher training, and community participation.
Since its inception in 2013, AWB Nigeria has effectively demonstrated how cascading knowledge, training a core group of educators who, in turn, train others, can amplify outreach impact across diverse regions. The program’s flagship initiatives, including the Girls Astronomy Camp and Schools Astronomy Outreach, integrate hands-on learning and cultural context to spark curiosity, promote gender inclusion, and bridge educational gaps between urban and underserved communities.
The model’s success lies in its adaptability: it leverages local materials, aligns with community needs, and builds on partnerships that sustain long-term impact. By empowering teachers as multipliers and local champions of astronomy, the approach fosters a continuous cycle of learning and engagement that reaches students, families, and entire communities.
Drawing on field data, participant feedback, and observed outcomes, this paper will demonstrate how the cascade model drives systemic growth in astronomy education and outreach. It will also outline strategies for scaling the model across Africa to support inclusion, diversity, and scientific literacy.
By showcasing Nigeria’s experience, the study highlights the power of educator-led outreach in transforming astronomy education, ensuring that knowledge, inspiration, and the wonder of the cosmos continue to cascade through communities across the continent.
| Stream | Education, Development and Outreach |
|---|