Third annual conference of the African Astronomical Society (AFAS) 2023 SESSION 12 PARALLEL SESSION 4: ASTRONOMY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS TALK: B UILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASTRONOMERS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS By HARRY A. TABI NDIP (Project Lead Aerospace Baby)

1. AFAS-2023
SESSION 12 – PARALLEL SESSION 4: ASTRONOMY EDUCATION IN
SCHOOLS
TALK: BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASTRONOMERS IN
DEVELOPING NATIONS
HARRY A.N. TABI NDIP (Project Lead Aerospace Baby)
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

2. 2 Introduction
3 Problem Statements
4 Solutions and Methods
5 Highlighting some of the work being done in
Cameroon
6 Conclusion
1 Abstract
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

3. Abstract
With the eminent advancement in science and technology especially in the area of astronomy and space
science, most developing countries are being left out or are non-participatory together with the benefits
that will serve to the improvement of quality of life.
Advancement in research to better understanding our planet and universe, to be able to carry out
astronomical research on our own, will greatly impact the building of a critical mass of astronomers and
scientist in Africa and developing countries. With specific education in astronomy and related fields missing
from the educational curricula in most African countries, Outreach programs, non-conventional and creative
methods of communicating the importance of the science of astronomy to the mases stand out in sparking
the interest of not just the young people but also the institutions to adopt and welcome the science of
astronomy in schools. Outreach based on educating the young people from ages 4-21 will be helpful in
introducing astronomy to them and sparking their interest in astronomy. Thereby building a critical mass of
enthusiast and possibly future researchers who will advance the science of astronomy across Africa.
Keywords: Astronomy, Outreach, Education
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

4. P R O B L E M STATEMENTS
• One of the major reasons why a developing nation like Cameroon is
considered a non-space friendly nation is primarily the fact that there is
lack of sufficient resources and information to give young people the
access to this career path.
• Astronomy/Space education is largely missing from the educational
curricula across the country from basic to higher education. This makes
is it difficult for the young who are interested to have access to the
education/opportunities surrounding the growing space sector.
• There is also a stereotype surrounding the Astronomy sector in LMIC
as a field in which having a career in is farfetched. Even amongst
youths who study astronomy related courses such as physics usually
think that the most achievable career path is becoming a teacher in the
subject matter.
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

5. In Cameroon, across schools;
90%
of youngpeoplewhodreamof
havingcareersinthe
aeronautical or astronautical
fieldarenot awareof thevast
career pathsavailabebesides
beingapilot or anastronaut,of
whichmost alreadyconsider as
impossible
<5%
of schoolsinCameroon have
asacourseor subject beginer
levelspacescienceand
astronomy
>70%
of childrenareexcitedabout
spacesciencegivenit isanew
areatothem.
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

6. W H Y I S I T A P R O B L E M ?
• Duetotheevidentlackofawareness,studentsshyawayfrompursuingacareerinastronomy,because
theysimplydonotknowhowtogoaboutitgiventhecurrentavailableoptionstheyhaveacademically.
Sowehavelesspeopleenteringintothefieldlocally.
• Evenamongstyoungpeoplewhodreamorareinterestedinthespacesciencesusuallylooseinterest
goingthroughprimaryandsecondaryschoolwithouthavingtheopportunitytobetaughtorcarryout
astronomicalrelatedactivitiesorcourses.
• AstheAfricanspaceindustryisgrowingthereisaneedforactorsandindividualsinthe
astronomy/spacefieldtotakeover,contributeandcarryoutresearch.Withcloseon20African
countriesacrossthe Africancontinent having established anational space program, either in the
form of a researchinstitution oranationalspaceagencyThelocalexpertisewillbelacking
eventuallyasaresultofthepreviousstatedreasons.
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

7. Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa
T H E S O L U T I O N
Create a platform for astronomy and space education delivered
in and out of classrooms, to kids who do not have access to
information and resources that makes way for the interest the
field, through activities like
• Regular outreach programs
• Workshops
• Boot-camps
• Interactive learning modules like comic books
• And hands-on astronomy and space science projects.

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Why The Focus On Children
• Children are naturally inquisitive and by the age of 6 most already start
wondering what they are going to be when they grow up.
• Early access to careers plays a great role in shaping the choices of children,
because as they grow up they tend to be more interested in particular things
and will likely pick a career related to something they love which matches their
skills and abilities.
• Many love watching the night sky as kids and are fascinated by movies which
depict interstellar travel, and will definitely love and excel in astronomy and
space sciences but coming from a socio-economic background where only what
are considered subject matters of traditional jobs are being paid interest to, the
interest is lost for a majority and only a handful who are determined dare to
take the leap to get into astronomy.

9. Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa
Highlighting some of the work being
done in Cameroon
Highlights of the work of some actors and key players who are currently
striving to implement this solution and promote astronomy/space in
Cameroon.
• The Youths for Sustainable Space Development Association (Y4SSD)
• The Aerospace Baby Project
• The Astronomy Club of Cameroon
• CASRO (Cameroon Astronomy and Space Research Organization).

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Y4SSD is a group of Space enthusiasts, coming
together to share opportunities, carry out
projects and advocate for space development in
Cameroon
The Youths for Sustainable Space Development
(Y4SSD) Community

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Activities
Carry out astronomy, space and
STEM outreach programs to
schools

12. Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa
Activities
Carry out astronomy related
activities, collaborating with other
key players to bring youths closer
to astronomy

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The Aerospace Baby Project is a space education project for
children, run by the Youths for Sustainable Space Development
(Y4SSD) community. The project aims to promote interest in space
science and technology in children within the ages of 4 to 18, by
providing innovative and exciting hands-on educational tools,
through collaborative efforts of space educators and space industry
leaders in Cameroon and Africa at large, to mass-produce a
learning module that will teach children about space technologies.
The Aerospace Baby Project

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• Our vision through the aerospace baby project is to break the stereotype surrounding the
aerospace industry in Cameroon/Africa by building a resilient and sustainable community of
individuals who are passionate about the space industry catching them while they are still
young.
• The aerospace baby project aims to massively educate and orientate kids who are considering
an education/career in a STEM-related field about the aerospace industry.
• We want to make sure that kids and their parents are aware of the Space Science Sector and
the job prospects it provides, especially now that students of information technology,
agronomy, biology, chemistry, nutrition, geography, medicine, law, management,
communications, electronics, physics, and other related fields have a ton of options thanks to
the impressive development of space applications.
The Aerospace Baby Project

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Workshops and Boot-Camps

16. Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa
Workshops and Boot-Camps

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Outreach

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Making use of innovative methods

19. Meet the team behind
aerospace baby and Y4SSD
ASONGFAC
LILY ROSPEEN
F O U N D E R & C E O
HARRYA.NTABI
NDIP
C O F O U N D E R | P R O J E C T
L E A D
FLORENCENDUMA
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S |
O U T R E A C H L E A D
KOUTIDIVINE
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
L E A D
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

20. Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa
Challenges Faced
• Lack of funding.
• Reluctance of some institutions to give us permitted access for outreach
activities.
• The stereotype surrounding astronomy and space.

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• It is an amateur astronomy association,
affiliated with some universities across the
country (Universities of Buea, Bamenda,
Dchang, and Yaounde II).
• It is also an initiative funded by the IAU-OAD
and CASRO (Cameroon Astronomy and
Space Research Organization), founded by
Mbonteh Roland NOC for Cameroon
Astronomy Club Of Cameroon
• Our Astronomy clubs polishes many other important skills. These
clubs are a useful extra-curricular activity in schools not just to
promote the interest in astronomy but also to polish other STEM
skills.
• Our Astronomy Clubs are a great platform to interact with
professionals and amateurs alike.

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University of Buea Astronomy Club

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Conclusion
“The impact of early engagement can have a hugely positive impact on wider
academic attainment, motivating and inspiring both children and their families,
by helping them to see a future to which they can aspire and which feels
achievable.”
writes Robert Halfon, chair of the Education Select Committee in the UK.
In conclusion, in order to build the next generation of
astronomers in Africa, there is the need to start from
children, as they are the future stakeholders in the industry.
Promoting equitable and inclusive education in astronomy
for all.

24. Working Together
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa

25. Thank you
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society_2023 South Africa