The objectives were to increase the level of girl-child participation in astronomy and space science education, and in the long term, produce female scientists that will contribute positively to space science development and the economy of Africa.
Activities
a). Solar system Modelling: This activity was executed at CBSS observatory complex on 7th of June 2023. The duration of the event was 2 hours and Thirty minutes. A total of 122 people which includes 100 female students and 20 school teachers attended. The session involved the identification of solar system planets with their distances, modelling and painting of planets, and aligning of the planets on a solar system board.
b). Coupling of Galileoscopes: This activity was executed at CBSS observatory complex on 7th June 2023. A total of 120 people (100 female students and 20 school teachers) were in attendance. The session lasted for 2 hours and thirty minutes. The session involved dismantling and coupling of the Galileoscopes provided using the same principle of the optical telescope construction.
c). Construction of Optical telescopes: This activity was executed using locally sourced materials. The activity was held at CBSS observatory complex on 8th June 2023. A total of 120 people (100 female students and 20 school teachers) attended. The session lasted for 3 hours. This session involved building of optical telescopes with the materials provided which include plano convex lenses, PVC pipes, socket reducers, eyepiece etc.
d). Building of Light Spectroscopes: The activity was executed at CBSS Observatory Complex of Nigeria on 8th June 2023. A total of 120 people (100 female students and 20 school teachers) attended. The session lasted for One hour and thirty minutes. This session involved cutting, joining and painting of thick cardboard papers. Also, its perforations and insertion of CD plates which reflects the colours of the light spectrum.
e). Stargazing: Stargazing activities were held at CBSS observatory complex on the 9th of June 2023 for 3 hours (6:30pm- 9pm). Also, the participating schools conducted their respective stargazing sessions using the telescopes they made at the workshop. The general stargazing activity at CBSS observatory complex attracted a total of 53 people (45 female students, and 8 school teachers). The stargazing section involved the use of an Explore Scientific telescope provided by CBSS and the use of the optical telescopes constructed during the workshop. The stargazing was done with the assistance of the Stellarium application. The celestial objects viewed include the moon, Venus and distant stars.
Outcomes
The immediate outcomes of our project were:
1. Improved knowledge about the science of astronomy. The assessment of the post test questionnaires used during the workshop showed an amazing increased knowledge among the participants about the science of astronomy. This was also evident during the post workshop interactive sessions.
2. Rekindled interest in STEM. Due to the lectures and scientific hands-on sessions, the students were eager to engage more in STEM. This was evident in their post workshop oral interviews.
3. Greater Technical Know-how through the technical sessions. The knowledge of the participants were amazingly increased due to the technical sessions. They were able to dismantle and assemble optical telescopes, spectroscopes, Galileoscopes and align telescopes for stargazing.