Space for All: Space for Africa
- Paper number
IAC-12,E1,5,15.p1,x16199
- Author
Dr. Marlene MacLeish, United States
- Year
2012
- Abstract
Space for All, is a compelling global theme that has been codified in the 2010 International Academy of Astronautics’ (IAA) 50th Anniversary Heads of Space Agencies Summit, Washington, DC, USA and the 2007, Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination, which outlines a roadmap to guide the development of innovative, value–adding global partnerships. This inspirational value of space exploration activities is being promoted by educators across the globe. They are taking action to strengthen individual nations’ aspirations for space exploration by facilitating innovative knowledge development and transfer collaborations to promote a vision of Space for All. In keeping with this spirit of international cooperation, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria, the National Space Biomedical Research Institute(NSBRI) and the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) established a consortium, which proposed that the IAA establish a Space Life Sciences Study Group (SG) to investigate the development of a space life sciences research and educational outreach roadmap for knowledge development and sharing among space faring African nations and the rest of the globe. This paper references the consortium’s extensive Educational Outreach (EO) operations, including scholarly interchanges with IAA and education colleagues in Africa, the United States of America, Austria, Greece, and Germany to make the case for using innovative, emerging information technologies to transfer space exploration knowledge to students; engage educators from across the African continent in discourse about science curricula and educational standards; and to foster development of indigenous multimedia processes and materials that inform African citizenry about the benefits of space exploration for life on Earth. The paper briefly describes the design and findings of the IAA Study Group Report, including the organizational arrangements and international collaborations that crafted this roadmap to promote a “global voice” for space life sciences educational outreach in Africa. The 63nd International Astronautical Congress: Space for All will provide a unique forum for garnering feedback to refine this unique global partnership and to conceptualize new approaches that support educators in their mission to expand the frontiers of space exploration and generate knowledge for developing a viable space workforce in Africa.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)