National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2025

The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab Project

Not scheduled

1h 30m

Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC)

Poster Engaging the public with astronomy: what really works? Engaging the public with astronomy: what really works?

Speaker

Miracle Chibuzor Marcel (Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab)

Description

The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) is a nonprofit online platform dedicated to advancing STEM education through hands-on astronomy and space science activities across Africa, including North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
We run five main projects: exoplanet observations, asteroid searches, astrophotography, double star research, and radio communication with astronauts aboard the ARISS. We utilize robotic telescopes such as the 0.4m Las Cumbres Observatory, Slooh, and the MicroObservatory for engagements.
Since its founding in December 2020, we have engaged over 1,000 individuals across 50 African countries and made significant contributions to astronomy, including the detection of over 50 asteroids, the publication of more than 12 scientific papers, and the generation of several photometric light curves of exoplanets. Our platform is the fastest-growing of its kind in Africa.
During the conference, I will elaborate on these efforts and our achievements.