01 Mar Outreach

SAAO/SALT Outreach Programme

When it comes to highly scientific technologies that enhance our knowledge of the stars and other planetary phenomenon’s, its easy to get lost in all the big words that you’ve most certainly never heard in daily conversations. The SAAO/SALT Outreach Programme is an initiative that seeks to educate the public about the significance of astronomy on a global scale.

In South Africa, there has been a strong focus on science in schools as more young students are needed within these fields. As a result, the Outreach Programme serves as an aiding factor in ensuring that more interest is sparked in students. Under its development, there are several programmes that have particular focuses for different aspects.

The SALT Collateral Benefits Programme (SCBP), which is a link between science and society, ensures that citizens benefit from the building of telescopes such as SALT in Sutherland. There are teacher training workshops for science teachers who wish to better their understanding of astronomy. The community development programme enables anyone to enjoy a full enriching tour of all the telescopes with an extra added time for star gazing on alternating days.

According to Communications Officer Thembela Mantungwa, “allowing people to benefit from the building of SALT has created jobs for the people around Sutherland”. This means that the building SALT has created a thriving tourism revenue which has helped the economic situation of the country, if only just a little. As a result, the benefits on both the educational and economical spectrum have been thus far rewarding.

There are many other events and programmes that have been put in place to benefit the people. All with similar aims and focuses, the integrating of the community into the science world has proven to be a success and all that is needed is further community participation not only in the Western Cape but, around the country.