Making Geoscience Fun for Schools

In October 2024, YES Network Namibia partnered with GeoBus from the University of St Andrews and the Geological Survey of Namibia to launch an engaging geoscience outreach program across the Karas and Erongo regions. This collaborative effort was designed to inspire both teachers and learners by making earth science accessible, interactive, and fun.

The program reached over 500 learners from schools including J.A. Nel Secondary School, P.K. Devilliers, Mondesa Youth Opportunities, and Coastal High School, alongside 12 enthusiastic teachers who took part in specialized training sessions at the University of Namibia’s Geology Department.

The workshops covered diverse topics such as Plate Tectonics, Earthquake Monitoring, Volcanic Activity, Geological Coring, and Fluvial Processes. But rather than just listening, participants engaged in hands-on activities that brought these complex ideas to life.

Learners participated in the Earthquake Building Challenge, where they constructed model buildings to test their resilience against simulated earthquake shocks using spaghetti, an eye-opening way to understand structural safety. The Oreo Tectonics activity used Oreo cookies to simulate the movement of Earth's plates and illustrate geological time layers, blending creativity with scientific concepts in a memorable way.

Teachers also learned how to use simple materials to demonstrate volcanic coring and river sediment processes, preparing them to bring these lessons directly into their classrooms.

This outreach initiative didn’t just transfer knowledge, it sparked curiosity, encouraged questions, and built a foundation for continued geoscience learning. By connecting theory with tangible experiences, YES Network Namibia and its partners are helping to nurture the next generation of earth scientists in Namibia.

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