Speaker
Description
The Hammanskraal Astronomy Outreach and Science Unlimited Expo formed a two-phase programme to establish an astronomy and STEM hub in a peri-urban/rural region north of Pretoria. In April 2025, an interdisciplinary team from RATT, SARAO and local partners conducted a site survey for a low-cost TART radio interferometer at Kwalata Game Lodge and co-designed an outreach week with the Tshwane North District Department of Education. The school programme reached 11 secondary schools (general, STEM-specialised, private and rural) and introduced learners to “what astronomy is and is not”, the nature of research, different types of telescopes, MeerKAT’s data pipeline, and study and funding pathways in astronomy and engineering. These sessions were complemented by public evening events at Cliff Café and Kwalata featuring talks on MeerKAT’s social impact, Breakthrough Listen and SETI, astro-tourism, and the TART installation, alongside stargazing and community discussion.
In August 2025, the Science Unlimited Expo at Kwalata expanded this work into a multi-disciplinary science fair and formal launch of the TART telescope. Over three days, 980 learners and 22 teachers from seven schools engaged with astronomy, biodiversity, water purification, recycling and conservation exhibits, while a SARAO-hosted evening event with national astronomy leaders highlighted rural astro-tourism and careers in radio astronomy.
Across both phases, the programme combined hands-on demonstrations, career guidance, donated resources (Galileoscopes, smart TVs and educational materials) and strong partnerships with schools, game-reserve tourism and government stakeholders to position astronomy as both a scientific and socio-economic opportunity for Hammanskraal.
Future work includes rolling out additional TART sites, structured teacher support and learner ambassador programmes to build a sustainable, community-anchored astronomy network in Gauteng.
| Stream | Education, Development and Outreach |
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