Zambia

Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania on the north-east, Malawi on the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia to the south, and Angola on the west. Formerly Northern Rhodesia, the country is named after the Zambezi river.

For visitors, Zambia has a lot to offer.Viewing the clear skies at night in Zambia is extremely marvellous. Blessed with 17 waterfalls including the spectacular Victoria Falls, the country is a fine destination for nature lovers and thrill seekers. Massive lakes, rich wetlands and breathtaking African sunsets contribute to the country's scenic splendor. The wild Zambezi River is perfect for adrenaline rush activities such as river rafting, canoeing safaris, river surfing and tiger fishing.
Location
Central southern Africa.

Area : 752,614 sq km (290,586 sq miles).

Population :11 million (UN, 2005).

Population Density :14.6 per sq km.

Capital :Lusaka.
Population: 1 million (2005).
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Astro Book Drive
Sat, October 24, 2009 1:55:08 PMFrom: Thilina Heenatigala Add to Contacts
To: Astro Book Drive

Dear site visitor,

I would like to bring your attention to an initiative – “Astro Book Drive ” – which mainly focuses on improving Astronomy Education in Developing Countries.
There are many small astronomy societies in these countries run by amateur astronomers. They conduct plenty of programs throughout the year and the participation is immense, from kids in early age to adults. But lack of resources always comes against having a good education or conducting a program. There are plenty of excess reading materials lying in our offices or the libraries with no one to get use of them. These reading materials worth a lot for the students and educators in developing countries. Through the Astro Book Drive program, these clubs will get an opportunity to obtain some reading materials. The “ Astro Book Drive ” is founded by Prof. John Clarke of Boston University , MA and me.

Astro Book Drive
How does it work

“ Astro Book Drive ” will be contacting various donors around the world who are interested in getting involved with the project. And same time we will select astronomy clubs from developing countries that would deserve to have such a donation to improve the knowledge. Once a party agrees to run a book drive, we will assign them to a particular astronomy club. The donors will send the materials directly to the club.
There will be a follow up for the donated materials to keep track of how they are used and to put them into best practices.

How to request

If you are an official of an astronomical club in a developing country, you are qualified to apply to receive donations. Please note that this is mainly for clubs which are really in need and once you apply we will do a back ground check up as well. Please visit the request page at http://astrodrive.lakdiva.net/request

What reading materials

We are focused on giving mainly Astronomy text books which are very useful when gaining knowledge. Other reading materials will include, various astronomy books, magazines (sky & telescope, Astronomy, etc…).
You are welcome to apply if your club satisfies the need, and I encourage you to circulate this news in other astronomy clubs in your country.Also, please feel free to put the news on your website, blog, newsletter, etc...

Look forward to hear from you.
Astro Book Drive - http://astrodrive.lakdiva.net/

P.C. Simpemba

For Thilina Heenatigala

General Secretary

Sri Lanka Astronomical Association

Co-founder of Astro Book Drive

The “ Astro Book Drive ” is founded by Prof. John Clarke of Boston University , MA and Thilina Heenatigala of Sri Lanka Astronomical Association.

email. thilina.heenatigala@yahoo.com
p. +94 (0) 716 245 545
w. http://thilinaheenatigala.blogspot.com

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Application to request reading materials Date: 3RD JANUARY, 2010

Name of the Organization: Space Generation Zambia
Address: C/O P.C. Simpemba, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, CBU, Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
Phone: +260 977 704168
E-mail: Zambia@yurisnight.net

Web: www.spacegeneration.org/zambia

Name of the President\Leader: Prospery C. Simpemba
Phone: +260 977 704168
E-mail: pcs200800@gmail.com
Web: www.spacegeneration.org/zambia, www.astronomerswithoutborders.org

Name of the contact person: Prospery C. Simpemba
Phone: +260 977 704168
E-mail: pcs200800@gmail.com
Web: www.spacegeneration.org/zambia, www.astronomerswithoutborders.org

Type of Organization: Armature astronomy and space science group

Number of Members: 300 ( in schools, universities and colleges)

Projects/Programs of 2010: (Please attach in a separate sheet)
12th April 2010: Yuri’s Night World Space Party
October 2010: Astronomy and Space Science Seminar
January 2010 – December 2015 Astronomy outreach programme in schools
4-10 October 2010: World Space Week.

How did you learn about “Astro Book Drive”?
I received the information through Astronomers Without Borders group email and checked the website http://astrodrive.lakdiva.net

Write an Essay answering following Questions: (Please attach in a separate sheet)
Who will be using the reading materials?
How will you be using the reading materials?
Objective of Request
Number of People Benefited:
Why you should receive a donation?

© 2009 “Astro Book Drive” – http://astrodrive.lakdiva.net

ASTRO BOOK DRIVE ZAMBIA

Zambia finds the pleasure to participate in the Astro Book Drive project as a way to accelerate astronomy development in the country. The country is better positioned for astronomy studies and research, having clear night skies and close to the equator. There have been very little happenings in the area of astronomy and many people have very little knowledge of this old science. Participation in this project will help Zambia make meaningful steps towards become an astronomy research giant in the region.

The reading materials we are requesting for through this project shall be used by the young Zambians in high schools and at tertiary education institutions under the supervision and guidance of Space Generation Zambia which promotes participation of students and young professionals in astronomy and space science issues in the country.

In realizing this dream, we intend to establish astronomy centres at the Copperbelt University and University of Zambia where the young students and members of the public interested in astronomy will be coming to borrow the reading materials. We also shall host sky viewing equipment such as telescopes and astronomy simulation software which will be used to boost astronomy interest in many Zambians. These materials will also be used by members of the group in our outreach programmes, exhibitions, shows and public events such as Yuri’s Night and World Space Week.

The specific objective of this request is to acquire materials that will be used in our campaign to develop astronomy in the country. They are to be used to increase the knowledge base of the members and prepare them for outreach activities and also as resources for workshops and other public events.

This project will help a large sector of high school and university students as well as resource persons. It is expected that over one million people will benefit from this project over the period 2010-2015. This project will also help us to help achieve the Millennium Development goals on education and promotion of the girl child in science education.

Astronomy is being developed globally and Zambia will not remain behind in this area. It is thus the major reason why that we desire to have this donation so that we move with the world as we develop our astronomy capabilities. It is our hope that this dream will be realized especially with the book drive donation.

PROJECTS

January 2010 – December 2015 Astronomy outreach programme in schools. Presentations on astronomy and space science will be conducted in high schools, colleges and universities.

12th April 2010: Yuri’s Night World Space Party
Members of the public will be invited to a star-gazing party while having refreshments and motivating talks on astronomy and space exploration.

October 2010: Astronomy and Space Science Seminar
Teachers of science and students will be invited to a one day seminar. Important presentations, training on the use of open source astronomy software and use of telescopes will be conducted.

4-10 October 2010: World Space Week.
Public events to promote astronomy and space science

PAST EVENTS

1. Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay contest

WINNERS

NAME: Farhin Akberali
YEAR OF STUDY: Year 9 G.
AGE: 14
SEX: Female
SCHOOL: Lechwe Trust School
CHOSEN TOPIC: Titan

NAME: Lweendo E.J Hachamba
Age : 15
SEX: Female
YEAR OF STUDY: Grade 10
TOPIC: SATURN
Address: MPELEMBE SECONDARY SCHOOL,KITWE,PO BOX 22,ZAMBIA.

CASSINI SCIENTIST FOR A DAY ESSAY CONTEST
FALL 2009 EDITION

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, the fall 2009 edition of the Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest is going to be open to students from all nations.
The Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest is an opportunity for students around the world to learn about the Cassini mission to Saturn and to study and write about one of three of Saturn’s most interesting science targets: Saturn and its Rings, Tethys and Saturn’s Rings, and Titan.
The students shall work individually or in small groups of maximum four to decide which target they think will yield the most interesting science results, and they conduct research and write an essay of up to 500 words justifying their selection.
In the process, students will learn to think like scientists, and gain practice writing essays. They learn to conduct research and argue for their chosen target in much the same way that Cassini scientists do.
Cassini Scientist for a Day website:

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/scientistforaday/international/

For more information, contact: zambia@yurisnight.net

SCHEDULE
Students in grades 5-12 (approximately ages 10-20) are invited to write a 500-word essay about one of three possible targets the Cassini spacecraft will image

Early September 2009: Announcement of contest to the public, raise awareness of the contest to teachers and students in participating countries

September 2009: Recruit judges to read students’ essays

October 16, 2009: Essay contest deadline

October 19, 2009: Judging begins

October 30, 2009: Winners announced

October 11, 2009: Cassini takes images of Saturn, Tethys, and Titan

October 19, 2009: Cassini Project Science Group Meeting, including webcast with winning students’ questions answered by international Cassini scientists

Suggested Rules:

Deadline: Essay contest entries must be received by October 16, 2009

1. This opportunity is open to all students in Zambia who are in grades 5 to 12.

2. Students can work alone or in teams of up to four students.

3. All submissions must be students' original work. Entries containing plagiarized material will be disqualified.

4. Each student may submit only one entry.

5. Do not include direct contact information for students under age 18. All communication will be conducted between the contest coordinator(s) and the students’ teacher.

6. Essays which are longer than 500 words will be disqualified.

7. The names and contact information will not be included in the word count for the 500-word essay.

8. Use only plain text (copy/paste your essay in the body of the e-mail).

9. Communication skills are an important part of being a scientist. Spelling and grammar will be considered in addition to the ideas expressed in the essay.

10. Essays will be divided into three groups

GROUP 1: grades 5 to 7 (or ages 10-14)
GROUP 2: grades 8 to 9 (or ages 15-16)
GROUP3: grades 10 to 12 (or ages 17-20)

11. The spacecraft will image all three targets -- there will be a winner for each target in each grade group.

12. Write an essay (500 words maximum) explaining which one of the three possible imaging targets you chose, and explain why.

o Target 1: Saturn
o Target 2: Tethys and Saturn’s Rings
o Target 3: Titan

13. Entries must be submitted by a teacher, parent or guardian.

14. Only essays written in English will be judged.

TO ENTER THE CONTEST, send your entry via e-mail to:

zambia@yurisnight.net

MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE:
- teacher's name, teacher’s e-mail address, and teacher’s mobile number, school name and address and the name(s), ages and grade(s) of all students who contributed to the essay being submitted (a maximum of four)
- The topic of the essay: Target 1, Saturn; Target 2, Tethys and Saturn’s rings; Target 3, Titan

The decision of the judges will be final.

Participants agree to assign copyright to the national coordinator and to JPL so that JPL and NASA can post the essays, as excerpts or in their entirety, on NASA Web sites, along with the name, grade, school, city, state, and country.

ATTENTION TEACHERS: You are welcome to use this contest as a class assignment, and submit five best essays to your country’s contest coordinator (Zambia@yurisnight.net) . Only the top five essays from each class will be included in the judging. After submitting all of your students’ essays, please send an email to the contest coordinator specifying which entries (up to five) from your class should be judged.

Once winners are selected, winners’ teachers will be contacted, and will be asked to provide a photograph of the student(s).

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS CONTACT US AT: Zambia@yurisnight.net or scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov or call 0977 704168.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
United States
Europe (European Space Agency member countries)
Canada
Ghana
Nepal
Zambia
Venezuela/South America
Brazil
Mauritius
Pakistan
Malaysia
Bosnia/Herzegovena/Serbia/Croatia/Montenegro

Important links

http://www.iya2009.org/globalprojects/specialprojects/cassini
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education
www.spacegeneration.org/zambia
www.astronomerswithoutborders.org
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/scientistforaday/international/

2. Presentation about the International Year of Astronomy at Lechwe School in Kitwe on 2nd October, 2009 from 12:30 to 13:00 hrs local tiime
Guest speaker: Prospery C. Simpemba
Topic: INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF astronomy 2009
Audience: Pupils in senior classes
Attendance: ~200 students

3. World Space Week Celebration 4-10 October, 2009.
Events at the UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA and COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Other events to be held in high schools

4. Space Science and Astronomy Seminar for high school pupils on the Copperbelt Province
Date: 9th October, 2009 from 08:00 hrs to 12:30 hrs local time.
Venue: Copperbelt University Civil Lecture Hall.

5. 2009 International Year of Astronomy Activities
a)Study of astronomical beliefs of the Zambian Community
b)Exhibition during Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show
c) Outreach to schools and colleges
d)Counting of stars during clear sky nights

The year of 2009 is very special for Astronomy. Humanity is commemorating 400 years of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, aiming to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme The Universe, Yours to Discover. IYA2009 events and activities will promote a greater appreciation of the inspirational aspects of astronomy that embody an invaluable shared resource for all nations.

To sponsor any of the activities, write to: pcsimpemba@yahoo.com

or call +260 977 704168

Sponsors will be given special recognition.

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6. 27 July- 3 August 2009: Exhibition at the International Agriculture and Commercial show in Lusaka, Zambia.

7.The SCINDA/IHY - Africa 2009 Workshop: 7-11 JUNE 2009
Venue: Zambia's tourist capital, Livingstone.
Vist: www.unza.zm/ihyafrica2009
The workshop was a great success. Over 120 space scientsis and students gathered in Zambia.

8. Launch of IYA 2009 ZAMBIA: 6th April 2009 at 19:00hrs local time

Zambia launched the International Year of Astronomy on 6th April, 2009.
VENUE: UNZA, NS LECTURE THEATRE
TIME: 19:00 HRS LOCAL TIME

9. World Space Party, Yuri's Night on 6th April 2009 started at 19:00 hrs local time at the University of Zambia.
12th April 2008 Zambia celebrated the WORLD SPACE PARTY-Yuri's Night. A braai party was held. It coincided with Zambia's launch of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009).

10. 3rd October, 2008: A seminar for high school Physics teachers was held to prepare them for World Space Week 2008

11. 15th November, 2003: National Seminar on Space Science.

Last updated: FEBRUARY 3, 2010