Category Archives: Flagship 2

Astronomy Clubs in Ghana Improve Student Performance in STEM

The Astronomy in Ghana project aimed to promote practical astronomy topics and hands-on activities among students and teachers to foster problem-solving skills and develop an interest in STEM subjects for informed academic and career choices. The project successfully formed astronomy clubs in six schools across three southern regions of Ghana: Greater Accra, Volta, and Central […]

Article in the CAP Journal: Astronomy for Mental Health Guidelines

OAD Fellow Dominic Vertue and past Fellow Sandra Benitez have published an article in the CAP Journal on guidelines for applying astronomy to benefit mental well-being. Astronomy, with its vast array of tools and resources, can greatly benefit society. One area in need of new approaches and interventions is mental health and well-being. Diminished mental […]

Promoting Intellectual Engagement and Well-being at a Psychiatry Facility

In May 2023, OAD Fellow Dominic Vertue organised a series of educational sessions at the Community Mental Health and Psychiatry Foundation (CMHPF) in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the Astronomy for Mental Health project. The primary goal was to stimulate intellectual engagement while contributing to overall well-being using astronomy. The sessions used a […]

‘Astronomy for Mental Health’ Project Engages People With Various Cognitive Abilities

The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) is on a mission to use astronomy, its resources, skills, and people to make the world a better place, regardless of one’s background or cognitive abilities. Recently, the team, led by OAD Fellow Dominic Vertue, conducted interactive and exploratory astronomy sessions at three Community Mental Health and Psychiatry […]

Overview: Astro-Prison Consolidation in Nigeria

In a bid to improve the prison services and welfare of its inmates across Nigeria, Nigerian Prison Services was renamed the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) through an Act of Parliament that was enacted in 2019. Thus, in partnership with Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (a Non-governmental Organization) which has a long standing Memorandum of Understanding with […]