Space Operations Fuelling Space Awareness and Science Education in South Africa—Supporting STEM Education in the Knowledge Economy

Abstract

AbstractThe Ten-Year Innovation Plan (2008–2018) of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) identified space science and technology as one of the five grand challenges for South Africa to become a key contributor to global space science and technology, with a National Space Agency, a growing satellite industry, and a range of innovations in space sciences, earth observation, communications, navigation, and engineering. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) was established in 2008 and opened its doors to serve humanity on April 1, 2011. SANSA absorbed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO). Two SANSA divisions, Space Operations, and Earth Observation (EO), were created from CSIR SAC at Hartebeeshoek (HBK) and Pretoria, respectively. The SANSA 2015–2020 Strategy identified strategic goal 3 to develop national human capacity and ensure transformation of the South African space sector. SANSA’s EO established the Science Advancement Services (SAS) unit in January 2013 in order to develop and implement the National Space Awareness Programme (NSAP) to stimulate youth interest in science. The DSI established the Science Engagement Strategy (SES) in January 2015 to develop the national science engagement programme. The SANSA NSAP is aligned to the DSI SES objectives. This paper reflects on the national achievements of the SANSA EO SAS NSAP spanning the period of 2013–2014 to 2019–2020. The paper reflects on the impact of the DSI SES on the SANSA EO SAS NSAP activities, the achievement of national footprint during National Science Week 2019, and the importance of developing youth entrepreneurial mindset in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Last, this paper showcases the alternative approach for sustainable space awareness in the 52 districts of South Africa and the Human Capital Development Pipeline Model that forms the connecting bridge between learners in the school system and the professionals in the space industry.KeywordsSpaceAwarenessScienceEngagementYouthEmpowerment