Description of project:

Cosmos Education is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to grass-roots science and technology education in developing countries. Each year, to carry out lessons relating to science and its role in development and to deliver science educational resources, Cosmos Education carries out an expedition to schools in at least five African Countries. The expedition team, made up of suitably qualified university students and young professionals, is starting in South Africa and travelling over-ground through Swaziland, Botswana, Zambia, and concluding their journey in northern Tanzania. Along the way, they will visit schools, orphanages, community centres, and other local groups to give fun and exciting talks on Science, using hands-on demonstrations to involve the audience.

Since Cosmos Education aims to help developing countries to gain the skills and passion for Science that will be essential to their futures, the global nature of the expedition team, which includes volunteers from Africa, North America, Europe and the Far East, provides a living example of co-operation between people of widely differing nations. Furthermore, the volunteers act as role models to encourage children to consider careers in technical fields relevant to the future of their communities. Sustainable development and health education, for example, are issues that have global effects but local causes and solutions. Cosmos Education believes that through inspiration, encouragement and support, young Africans can help their countries to develop and grow in a sustainable way.

The 2003 Under African Skies project builds on the success of previous Cosmos Education ventures. In 2002, 20 volunteers travelled for 6 weeks, reaching an estimated 9000 young people and distributing over a tonne of scientific books, posters and equipment to schools in eastern and southern Africa. This year, a total of 28 team members will man an expedition of 8 weeks; aiming to reach even more youngsters while spending more time at each visit than in previous years. Schools and institutions visited in the past will be re-visited, while the team will also expand their coverage to include new audiences.

The Shuttleworth Foundation's involvement:

The Shuttleworth Foundation is funding the South African leg of the COSMOS educational tour. This includes the vehicle hire, transportation for African participants, printing of materials, shipping costs and their general living expenses during the trip.

Aims and objectives:

The aim of this project is to develop and expose science and technology to learners in developing countries. The Shuttleworth Foundation's involvement will aim to increase this exposure to 40 additional schools in South Africa.

Updated Status (December 2003):

The tour took place with much enthusiasm and a resounding positive response from the educators and learners satisfied the objective of exposing learners to science and technology. Many additional schools requested visits and the interactive methodology used by international students who ran some of the sessions provided learners with the rare opportunity to be taught by young people offering the learners possibilities for their future in science education.

This concludes the Foundation’s involvement in the project.

Updated Status:

The tour has begun! For 8 weeks, starting in Cape Town, the team will travel north along the coast up to Springbok, and then east towards Pretoria and Johannesburg over three and a half weeks, before making their way to other countries.

Status (April 2003):

The South African leg of the tour takes place in July 2003 and preparation work has already started.