APA Workshop

This is a call for registration and the submission of abstracts for the next African Planetarium Association (APA) Biannual Workshop, to be held in conjunction with the IAU Symposium 386: Dark Sky and Astronomical Heritage in Boosting Astrotourism. This hybrid workshop is scheduled to take place from 11 – 12 November 2023, at the Ethiopian Science and Art Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, directly preceding the IAU Symposium 386 (13 – 17 November). The workshop is jointly being organized by APA, the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), and the Ethiopian Space Science and Geo-Spatial Institute (SSGI) and will be free to attend for all who register.   

The aim of APA is to connect all planetarians and interested parties across the African continent. Through its biannual workshop, the APA aims to foster the development and expansion of the planetarium community in Africa by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experiences, resources, and best practices.

The 2-day program will include:

  • Presentations by African planetarians on their unique experiences 
  • Powerful stories about the use of planetaria in education and for inspiring young people in astronomy and science.
  • Practical workshops addressing planetarium challenges
  • Invited talks from global planetarium experts
  • Panel Discussions and Q&A sessions
  • Film showings at the newly built Ethiopian Planetarium in the Ethiopian Science and Art Museum, including Africa’s first two locally-produced fulldome films about African astronomy: “Rising Star” and “Sida Tsoatsoas”

The major themes for this Workshop are:

  • Using planetaria for education and promoting sciencen their unique experiences 
  • Planetaria as a tool for Astrotourism
  • Building and maintaining a sustainable planetarium
  • Exploring scientific research within the planetarium setting
  • Addressing planetarium challenges in Africa

Please ensure that all submitted abstracts (for your presentation, workshop, or special session) align with at least one of these themes. There will also be an opportunity for you to exhibit your work, business, or research related to planetaria; please contact Sally Macfarlane (at sally.macfarlane@afasociety.org)  if you wish to exhibit or find out more details about exhibiting.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION. Closing date for Registration and Abstract submission: September 22, 2023

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sally Macfarlane at sally.macfarlane@afasociety.org

Co-organizers

African Planetarium Association (APA) 

African Astronomical Society (AfAS)

Ethiopian Science and Art Museum

IAU Symposium 386

Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS)