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Outreach with an Astrovan


In 2009 June HartRAO acquired a VW Caddy panel van to use for outreach by the Science Awareness Programme. It was immediately put to use in a series of projects:

Educators taking part in the workshops were able to comment on the programme on evaluation forms:

"The workshop was a real eye opener and it brought a lot of understanding of concepts and things that we find challenging to present to the learners."
- Kwa Mhlanga District - Kome Primary School.

"The workshop was so interesting because I had a negative attitude towards earth and beyond but now I'm so interested about the part in such a way I like to further my studies with it."
- Maluti District - Mpharane Junior Secondary School

"Thank you very much it was a really eye opening, and confident enough to approach the theme of Natural Sciences Earth and Beyond. Lastly I wish I can do this study and become a graduate on this.
- Ehlanzeni Region- Sibusisiwe Secondary School

"Thank you very much for the effort that you put into your presentation. It is really great to attend a workshop where the presenters are well prepared and know their subject. I really knew very little, because I have not taught this before. During this time my knowledge grew immensely and you have now sparked my interest."
- Focused School

The pictures below illustrate some of the outreach activities.

International Year of Astronomy IYA2009, Matatiele, Eastern Cape - 2009/06/08-12

Matatiele
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Anacletta Koloko, back in her home town of Matatiele, starts off the educator workshops.

Matatiele
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Any naked-eye sunspots on the Sun? Eclipse viewers are stil useful, long after the last solar eclipse.

Matatiele
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The large Earth globe engages the educators - Sam Rametse is on the left.

Matatiele
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What do you weigh on the Sun, the Moon and Jupiter? The educators are intrigued.

Matatiele
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Learners listen closely to Anacletta at a Matatiele school.

Namibia National Science Week, Windhoek - 2009/06/29-07/03

Namibia
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What would you weigh on the Sun?

Namibia
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Anacletta Koloko has a facinated audience as she explains the SA-SKA poster "Your Place in the Universe".

Namibia
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Sam Rametse has an equally attentive audience as he describes an SA-SKA poster.

Namibia
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Sam checks out the pieces of iron meteorite on display in the Windhoek city centre.

Namibia
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The SA outreach team also found time to visit the H.E.S.S. Gamma-ray telescope near the Gamsberg southwest of Windhoek. Here Anacletta stands in front of the optical collectors.

Namibia
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Anacletta talks about the Big Bang to learners in Windhoek.

National Science Week, Kimberley, Northern Cape - 2009/07/30 - 08/07

Kimberley
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At the "Astronomy-SA" display at the official launch of National Science Week, Kevin Govender describes the stand to Northern Cape Premier Hazel Jenkins and Minister for Science and Techology Naledi Pandor.

Kimberley
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At the "Astronomy-SA" display Director General of Science and Technology Dr. Phil Mjwara and another visitor chats with Marion West from HartRAO.

International Year of Astronomy IYA2009 - Mpumalanga - 2009/08/31-09/03

IYA Mpumulanga
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Making planispheres - starfinders - supplied by the SA-SKA project .

IYA Mpumulanga
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How much would a cooldrink can weigh on another planet?

IYA Mpumulanga
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HartRAO educator Sam Rametse at right discusses how the Earth is oriented in space. The HartRAO panelvan can be seen over his right shoulder.

IYA Mpumulanga
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The HartRAO team brought a Dobsonian telescope along for night sky viewing by guests at the opening event in Nelspruit.

IYA Mpumulanga
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One of the VIP's at the opening event was Mrs Yvonne (Pinky) Nkwenkwezi Phosa, MEC for Finance of Mpumalanga.

IYA Mpumulanga
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HartRAO educator Anacletta Koloko introduces the topics in the workbooks supplied to the participating educators.

IYA Mpumulanga
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Anacletta discussing astronomy basics with the educators.

IYA Mpumulanga
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Sam Rametse with the Earth globe; the HartRAO panelvan can be seen beyond the educators.