Kenyan education system faces persistent challenges in engaging learners with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, particularly in public primary school. Many learners perceive science as a challenging and abstract subject, often lacking exposure to practical and inspirational scientific experiences. Moreover, rural and underserved schools often lack access to engaging science content and resources. This project proposes to use astronomy, a captivating and interdisciplinary science, as a gateway to inspire curiosity and develop STEM interest among primary school learners (ages 9–13) in Kisumu County.
Our solution is a grassroots initiative targeting primary Schools in marginalized areas of Kisumu county, where we will implement hands-on, inquiry-based astronomy programs in partnership with local teachers and educational stakeholders. We build the capacity of forty primary school science teachers through hands-on workshops, the delivery of engaging astronomy kits to schools, and the running of interactive school-based astronomy clubs and outreach events. Learners will participate in sky observations, build simple telescopes, engage in storytelling through the stars, and conduct basic astronomy experiments aligned with the Kenyan Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
We will collaborate with a selected team comprising faculty from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kakamega; Kisumu National Polytechnic; the Kisumu County Education Office; amateur astronomy clubs; and science centres to implement these activities. The project will also produce digital and printed learning resources in English and Swahili to ensure accessibility. Our activities are designed to be gender-inclusive and community-based, aiming to reach at least 1,000 learners directly and many more through indirect engagement. By integrating astronomy into early education, this initiative aims to lay a strong foundation for STEM curiosity and confidence, encouraging long-term academic growth, equity, and innovation in science in Kenya.
