In January 2019, as part of the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) centenary celebrations, Astronomers Without Borders Nigeria (AWB Nigeria) joined the global movement of “100 Hours of Astronomy” with a special collaborative outreach program in Abuja—this time alongside emerging Nigerian tech leaders from Bliss Robotics.
The event was a dynamic fusion of skywatching, STEM demonstrations, and hands-on robotics exposure designed to ignite passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among Nigerian youth. It was not just a local effort—it was Nigeria’s contribution to a global celebration of humanity’s shared connection to the cosmos.
The Global Context: 100 Hours of Astronomy
The “100 Hours of Astronomy” initiative, hosted globally between January 10–13, 2019, was one of the flagship events of the IAU100 celebrations. Its objective was to provide as many people as possible access to astronomical experiences, regardless of nationality, age, or background.
Across more than 130 countries, telescopes were turned to the sky, public lectures were delivered, and new collaborations were born. AWB Nigeria embraced this with an expanded vision—integrating astronomy with robotics for a tech-forward generation.
Event Overview
Held at the Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, the outreach brought together over 300 students and educators from both public and private institutions. The activities spanned two full days and included:
- Solar Observation Sessions
- Using properly filtered solar telescopes, students viewed real-time sunspots and discussed the nature of solar energy and magnetic storms.
- They learned about the Sun’s life cycle and how it impacts Earth’s environment.
- Astronomy Presentations
- Engaging talks on constellations, planetary orbits, and galaxies.
- History of astronomy in Africa and how early civilizations used the sky to develop calendars and farming systems.
- Interactive star charts and constellation-making games.
- Bliss Robotics Showcases
- Demonstrations of AI-based robots designed for motion tracking, basic navigation, and speech response.
- Students controlled beginner bots via tablets and coded simple routines using block programming.
- A showcase of Nigerian-built prototypes, including an autonomous delivery bot created by Bliss Robotics’ teenage interns.
- STEM Integration Workshops
- Collaborative sessions where students were grouped to solve challenges combining astronomy and robotics. One such task: “Design a robotic rover that can detect solar radiation on Mars.”
Bringing Science to Life
The combined AWB-Bliss Robotics team emphasized practical learning. The focus was to make students feel that they were not just learning science—they were doing science.
According to AWB Nigeria’s Abuja chapter lead:
“Astronomy helps us ask the big questions. Robotics helps us build the tools to find the answers. Together, they prepare students to lead Nigeria into a future shaped by innovation.”
Quotes from Students
“I had never seen the Sun through a telescope. It looked alive, like it had fire spots!” – Hauwa, JSS 2 Student
“When I made the robot turn left with my code, it felt like magic. Now I want to build one that goes to the Moon!” – Daniel, SSS 1 Student
The Bliss Robotics Collaboration
The participation of Bliss Robotics was key to expanding the scope of the outreach. Known for its youth-oriented innovation hubs in Nigeria, Bliss Robotics brought real engineering and coding experiences to students who may otherwise never interact with such technology.
The organization’s co-founder, Ms. Uche Nwokedi, explained:
“Astronomy is the gateway to curiosity, and robotics is the pathway to creation. Together, they teach students how to think, question, and build. That’s the essence of education.”
Impact and Future Plans
The success of the outreach led to:
- The creation of two new astronomy and robotics clubs in local Abuja schools.
- Launch of a monthly “Sky & Code” series, where students engage in both skywatching and basic electronics.
- Deeper engagement with IAU100 and follow-up collaborations with schools from other Nigerian states.
The 100 Hours of Astronomy and Bliss Robotics Outreach 2019 was more than an event—it was a movement of ideas, light, and limitless possibility. It showed that when partnerships are forged across disciplines and borders, the result is an empowered generation that sees beyond the sky—and dares to build what lies beyond it.
One People. One Sky. One Future.