IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/ Astronomy for a better world! Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:34:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.5 https://astro4dev.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-03_OAD_symbol_colour_2-32x32.jpg IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/ 32 32 OAD Girls Education Project in Kenya Gets A Boost From SKAO https://astro4dev.org/oad-girls-education-project-in-kenya-gets-a-boost-from-skao/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:24:35 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31374 Elimisha Msichana Elimisha Jamii na Astronomia (EMEJA), an IAU OAD funded project in Kenya and Uganda, has received backing from the SKA Observatory. The project aims to address the issue of high school dropout rates among girls in rural Kenya and Uganda via astronomy outreach, mentorship and  targeted STEM workshops and scholarships opportunities, guided and [...]

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]]> “A Night Under the Stars” in Karpenissi, Greece https://astro4dev.org/a-night-under-the-stars-in-karpenissi-greece/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:47:29 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31363 The OAD-supported “Starlight Bridges” project will organise A Night Under the Stars on August 17 in Profitis Ilias, Myriki – Karpenissi, Greece. The project “Community Astrotourism through the ARTEMIS Space Observatory” is turning the pristine night sky of Karpenisi (Bortle scale 3) into a driver for sustainable, locally led development. It targets the region of [...]

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]]> IAU OAD Newsletter #43 April – June 2026 https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-newsletter-43-april-june-2026/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:48:21 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31350 The IAU OAD has published its latest newsletter for the April to June 2026 period. Highlights in the newsletter: DARA Funds Five Astronomy-for-Development Projects in Africa OAD Hosts OAD@15 “Astronomy for a Better World” Symposium in February 2027 IAU OAD Project in Tanzania Launches Astrotourism Tours Hack4Dev Hosts 2nd Cycle of Trainers Hackathon Previous newsletters [...]

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]]> Transforming STEM Learning Through Astronomy in Kenya https://astro4dev.org/transforming-stem-learning-through-astronomy-in-kenya/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:14:04 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31346 source: MMUST The OAD funded project ‘Inspiring STEM Engagement through the Support of Astronomy Programs in Primary Schools in Kisumu County, Kenya,’ seeks to enhance science learning among learners from Grade One to Grade Six by leveraging astronomy as an innovative and engaging entry point into environmental science and integrated science. The project team organised [...]

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]]> Plenary Talk at the South African Institute of Physics Annual Conference https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-participates-at-the-south-african-institute-of-physics-annual-conference/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 07:21:25 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31300 The OAD (Office of Astronomy for Development) will participate in the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP 2026) Conference, hosted by the University of the Western Cape from 6-10 July 2026, sharing our work on astrotourism, astronomy for mental health, and hackathons for development. The South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) is the premier annual [...]

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]]> IAU OAD Project in Tanzania Launches Astrotourism Tours https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-project-in-tanzania-launches-astrotourism-tours/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:28:01 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31282 Starry Safaris, an IAU OAD supported project in Tanzania, is using astronomy tourism to create additional income opportunities for economically-disadvantaged young men and women. They have established an astrotourism program at the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory (MMAO) in Arusha, Tanzania, and conducted the first astrotourism tour a few days ago. The team completed a three-day [...]

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]]> DARA Funds Five Astronomy-for-Development Projects in Africa https://astro4dev.org/dara-funds-five-astronomy-for-development-projects-in-africa/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:29:38 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31233 The IAU OAD is pleased to announce the funding of five new astronomy-for-development projects by Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA). The projects will be run by the 2026 DARA student teams in Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Kenya. Projects will address urgent challenges within communities such as youth unemployment, gaps in [...]

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]]> Canadian Project Fosters Science Identity and STEAM Engagement Amongst Black Girls https://astro4dev.org/canadian-project-fosters-science-identity-and-steam-engagement-amongst-black-girls/ Wed, 06 May 2026 09:33:41 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31175 The Black Girls in Physics and Astronomy (BGPA) project aims to foster early science identity and STEAM engagement among participants. The project has completed a number of activities for youth leaders and participants, inspiring curiosity and creating a sense of identity and belonging in science spaces. ———– February 25, 2026: First session hosted by the [...]

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]]> IAU OAD Newsletter #42 January – March 2026 https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-newsletter-42-january-march-2026/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:54:52 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31325 The IAU OAD has published its latest newsletter for the January to March 2026 period. Highlights in the newsletter: IAU Calls for Innovative Astronomy Projects to Promote Sustainable Development IAU OAD Celebrates 15 years of Impact 2025 Project Outcomes Upcoming events for 2026 Previous newsletters are on the website.  

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]]> IAU Calls for Innovative Astronomy Projects to Promote Sustainable Development https://astro4dev.org/iau-calls-for-innovative-astronomy-projects-to-promote-sustainable-development/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:37:24 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31153 The International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD), which has invested more than 1.5 Million Euros in development projects led by astronomy, is pleased to announce its 2026 call for proposals. Seed funding will be provided to proposals with high potential for making a positive societal impact using astronomy. Astronomy is a [...]

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