Astronomy Teacher Training Program

Ghana is taking a bold step to make astronomy education more inclusive for exceptional learners. Educators working with students facing diverse learning challenges including those with visual or hearing impairments and learners from underserved communities are often left without accessible resources or specialised training to teach core science topics like the Earth, Sun, Moon, Solar System, Galaxies and many more.

To address this gap, a five-day Astronomy Teacher Training Workshop will be held from February 9th to 13th, 2026 at the Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. The workshop brings together teachers from all schools for the blind and deaf across Ghana, along with educators from 15 selected schools in the Ashanti Region.

Topics to be Covered & Activities:

Earth : Shape of the Earth Features of the Earth (continents and oceans, polar regions, equator etc) , Movement of the Earth

Moon: Earth-Moon size comparison, Earth-Moon distance, Features of the Moon, Moon phases.

Sun: Sun Earth size comparison, Earth / Moon / Sun system,

Eclipse : Demonstration of solar and lunar eclipse,

Solar System: Comparison of Planet sizes, Scale of planet distances

Galaxies: What is Galaxy, types of Galaxies

Constellations: Lighting-up the constellations activities

Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory : Basic Function and operations of the GRAO 32m Dish Telescope

Space Science: What is Space Science?, Satellites, Types of satellites, functions, operations, importance and careers in Space science

Astronomy Open Night Event: Public Star Gazing / Night Sky Observation, Astronomy for Mental Health and Well-being Astronomy in KNUST (Public Event 11th February 2026)

Workshop Highlights:

Curriculum-aligned instruction in fundamental astronomy concepts
70% hands-on, practical activities to ensure real classroom readiness
Guidance on developing accessible teaching and learning materials using locally available resources
Tools and strategies tailored to reach learners of all abilities

This initiative supports Ghana’s efforts to improve science education and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).

The workshop is fully funded by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) — Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) and supported by the Department of Physics at KNUST, and organized by the PRAGSAC, National Astronomy Education Coordinators of Ghana, in collaboration with the Department of Physics, KNUST.

📅 Workshop Dates: February 9–13, 2026
📍 Venue: Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi

Organising Committee:

Sarah Abotsi-Masters : NAEC/PRAGSAC

Albert Forson :NAEC/ PRAGSAC

Dr. Labik Linus :KNUST

Jemimah Kwakuyi : NAEC / PRAGSAC/KNUST

Sarah Boamah

Facilitators

Albert Forson : PRAGSAC / NAEC

Sarah Abotsi-Masters : PRAGSAC / NAEC

Sarah Boamah : GES Korle Klottey municipal /National Robotics facilitator Accra STEAM center

Dr. Naomi Asabre Frimpong: PRAGSAC/ IAU OAO,JAPAN