A glimpse into the universe
The auditorium at the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) was transformed into a miniature universe last week when the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) mobile planetarium visited the school.
Learners from the DHPS Kinder-Campus through to the senior grades had the opportunity to explore the cosmos inside the inflatable dome theatre, described as an “upside-down bouncy castle”. The sessions were led by University of Namibia (UNAM) students, who guided audiences through space using specialised digital projection software and their knowledge of astronomy.
The mobile planetarium was developed by Dr Marc Klein Wolt, director of the Africa Millimetre Telescope. Since 2019, it has travelled across Namibia, bringing interactive astronomy experiences to schools and communities.
The initiative is supported by the Africa Millimetre Telescope, NOVA (Netherlands), the University of Namibia and Radboud University. Its aim is to spark curiosity and encourage young people to pursue careers in science, research and innovation.
Adaptability
One of the key features of the planetarium is its adaptability. Presentations are tailored to suit different age groups, from pre-primary learners to senior students. The programme is also regularly updated to include the latest scientific discoveries, ensuring that learners receive current and relevant information.
For many DHPS learners, the experience was their first close encounter with complex astronomical concepts.
“I think it’s just awesome. You sit in something like a bouncy castle, and it feels like you’re sitting in a rocket somewhere in space,” said Tiago, a Grade 4 learner.
Bastian, also in Grade 4, said he was struck by the scale of the universe. “We saw how the sun moves, how the planets orbit the sun, what black holes look like and lots of other interesting things. I was very impressed by how big the universe is.”
The school expressed its appreciation to the AMT team and the participating UNAM students for what it described as an inspiring and educational experience. Special thanks were also extended to DHPS teacher Ms Schütte for arranging the visit.
