What is Astrobus Ethiopia?
A mobile science-art-innovation outreach program that is carried out by driving a vehicle from place to place in different locations in Ethiopia.
Our Mission
Stimulating a culture of critical thinking to realise a society that is competent in a modern world.
How are we planning to do that?
Through the use of exciting science, art and innovation activities. Our programs are guided by the desire to create an ecosystem that facilitate the exchange of world views and direct contacts between students and professional scientists, artists and innovators. We believe that these contacts would inspire, empower and connect generations and foster excellence.
The Astrobus Ethiopia project combines activities in Science, in particular Astronomy, Art and Innovation to inspire students and the general public about the scientific method and its impact in the modern world.
Why Astronomy?
Astronomy by its very nature has a capacity of sparking curiosity and making people think big. It is, therefore, possible to use the field as a tool to create a curious and scientifically inclined young generation and society in general. Reaching out to the public and the hard-to-reach, which is a major issue on the African continent, is a great approach to promote astronomy, and we believe that it is our responsibility to take part in explaining the importance and relevance of astronomy to our community.
Why Art?
Art knows no age! Crowd art activities facilitate interactive learning environment. It heightens the senses, and nurtures creativity. What makes the combination of art activities with astronomy outreach special is that the audience will have a chance to express their understanding of complex astronomical and cosmological questions like how big is the Universe, how does the sun work, what happened at the big bang in art forms.
Why Innovation?
If science is the the motor of human civilization, innovation is its wheel. The two go hand in hand, one giving the other the opportunity to grow and develop faster. For example understanding of the physics of optics, basic science, leads to the innovation of microscope and telescope which in turn allows scientists to use these innovations to further understand the laws of nature operating at the very small and very large scales.
At Astrobus-Ethiopia our plan is not only to inform our audiences scientific facts, but also to communicate the processes involved in doing science, art and innovation through various activities.
The modern world we live in today is possible because we humans collectively and incrementally deepen our understanding of the laws and mysteries of nature through basic science and innovation. Along these science and innovation endeavours art has always been there to nurture our imagination, passion and devotion.
We strive to setup an environment that best helps students to understand the processes involved from conceiving an insight to transforming it to knowledge and further to using it to invent solutions that improve daily life.