Sparking the Stars: Nsukka Schools Inspired by Basic Space Science Outreach

By  Tosin Clegg

In classrooms once filled with the usual rhythm of chalk and blackboards, something extraordinary happened. Over the course of 2013 and 2014, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) – through its Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS) in Nsukka – lit a spark in the hearts of young learners that continues to burn brightly.

Under the visionary leadership of Professor Fidelix Okpara, the CBSS rolled out an Awareness and Sensitisation Programme on Basic Space Science for secondary schools across the Nsukka region. Coordinated by Mr. Kolawole Olatunde, the initiative brought space science out of textbooks and into the minds of eager students, turning curiosity into inspiration, and classrooms into launchpads for dreams.

A Galaxy of Engagement

The programme visited more than a dozen secondary schools, hosting interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiments that introduced students to the fundamentals of space science, ranging from planetary motion to satellite technology and the physics of the cosmos.

“We wanted to demystify space science,” said Mr. Olatunde, the programme coordinator. “It’s not just for scientists in labs or astronauts in space suits. It’s for every student with a curious mind and a desire to know what lies beyond our sky.”

Students were introduced to telescopes, solar observation kits, and simple space simulations, with facilitators using local languages and contextually relevant examples to bridge the gap between global science and local understanding.

Teachers Rejoice, Curriculum Reimagined

For many teachers, the programme was not just refreshing, it was transformational.

“We’ve taught topics like the solar system and gravity for years,” said Mrs. Oby Anulika, a physics teacher at a participating school. “But this was the first time our students saw these concepts come alive. The demonstrations, the visuals – it made everything real.”

Several schools reported that after the workshops, teachers began adjusting lesson plans to include more project-based learning and visual aids in science classes. Some science departments even established space science clubs, with enthusiastic backing from school administrators.

“It gave us tools,” said Mr. James Ogbonna, another teacher. “But more importantly, it gave us the confidence to teach space science in a way that connects with our students’ imaginations.”

Students Reaching for the Stars

Perhaps the most visible impact of the programme was in the students themselves. Eyes lit up as images of galaxies and planetary orbits were projected on screens. Hands shot up with questions, sometimes more than facilitators could answer in one session.

“I used to think space was just stars and darkness,” said Chiamaka, a 14-year-old student from the University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka (UNSSN). “Now I know about satellites, black holes, and that Nigeria even has a space agency! I want to become a scientist.”

The CBSS team encouraged this curiosity, distributing science kits, booklets, and follow-up materials to schools to keep the momentum going. Many students took the initiative further, using their school libraries or phones to explore careers in astronomy, engineering, and data science.

For many, the workshops were their first formal exposure to the idea that they could be part of Nigeria’s future in space technology.

A Model for STEM Engagement

The programme has been widely praised as a model for grassroots STEM education. By focusing on local schools in the Nsukka region, a university town with a proud academic tradition, the outreach demonstrated how national science institutions can directly influence educational outcomes at the community level.

“We saw an increase in interest not just in physics, but in maths and computer science as well,” said Mr. Olatunde. “That’s how it works – space science is a gateway. Once students see how it all connects, they start asking bigger questions and seeing bigger possibilities.”

Stakeholders, including the Enugu State Ministry of Education and local school boards, acknowledged the programme’s positive influence and expressed support for expanding it to other parts of the state.

Leadership, Legacy, and Looking Ahead

Professor Okpara’s leadership was widely credited for the programme’s success. Known for his passionate commitment to scientific literacy and youth engagement, he ensured that the CBSS team brought both technical expertise and educational empathy to the initiative.

“The future of our space programme depends on the minds we inspire today,” Prof. Okpara stated at the final workshop. “We must bring science to the people, and start with the youngest among us.”

As for the legacy of this outreach, it lives on in the notebooks, clubs, dreams, and career ambitions of Nsukka’s young stars.

“We’re not just teaching science,” said Mr. Olatunde. “We’re planting seeds. Seeds that will grow into Nigeria’s future engineers, astronomers, innovators – and who knows, maybe even astronauts.”

Indeed, for young students in Nsukka who looked through a telescope for the first time and imagined the stars within reach, that future has never felt closer.