In Nigeria, particularly in underserved towns like Makurdi, Benue State, secondary school science education faces challenges of outdated pedagogy, limited practical tools, and minimal teacher training in emerging fields. Space science and astronomy—subjects that naturally integrate physics, mathematics, computer science, geography, and critical thinking—are almost absent from classrooms. As a result, students lack exposure to scientific inquiry and essential skills, leaving them less inspired to pursue STEM careers. Teachers themselves are often unfamiliar with key space science concepts, modern inquiry-based methods, and low-cost tools, while also lacking the confidence, resources, and strategies to make science engaging and locally relevant.
This project proposes a 5-day hands-on training workshop for 40 secondary school science teachers in Makurdi. The training will strengthen their knowledge, confidence, and ability to integrate astronomy and space science into the STEM curriculum, using low-cost, gender-sensitive, and inquiry-based methods to ensure balanced participation across public and low-cost private schools.
The program will run as follows: Day 1 includes a pre-test, orientation, and introduction to astronomy topics such as Earth’s rotation, lunar phases, eclipses, the solar system, gravity, and satellite orbits tied to the national curriculum. Day 2 focuses on free, open-source astronomy software (Stellarium, Celestia, SalsaJ) and mobile planetarium apps, with low-tech options (sky charts, planispheres, solar viewers) for schools without digital access. Day 3, teachers explore applied topics like satellite tracking, space weather, and geospatial tools (GPredict, Google Earth, NASA Eyes), highlighting real-world applications and career pathways. Day 4 emphasizes integration strategies, helping teachers embed astronomy into physics, geography, and ICT, with collaborative curriculum co-design. Day 5 features lesson-plan presentations, peer feedback, a post-test, and certification.
The workshop will be hosted at the ICT/Computer-Based Testing Hall, Department of Computer Science, Benue State University, which provides reliable power, internet, and digital infrastructure. Each teacher will receive training kits and user guides for replication in their schools. Follow-up mentoring and an online resource-sharing network will ensure continued support, while supervisors from the Ministry of Education and STAN Benue will observe pilot lessons and provide feedback.
By training teachers in astronomy knowledge, modern strategies, and practical tools, the project strengthens teaching quality and inspires students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital skills. It expands STEM access, reduces inequalities, and motivates girls and marginalized learners to pursue science careers. The pre-/post-test framework will track impact, while the scalable model supports long-term capacity building in in science education across Nigeria and Africa.
