Nairobi Learners Explore Space Science Through New Planetarium Program

Students across Nairobi schools are getting a rare front-row seat to the universe thanks to a new planetarium partnership launched by The Travelling Telescope, a mobile astronomy outreach organisation. The programme, which includes visits to a digital, inflatable planetarium, is designed to spark interest in space science by immersing learners in interactive lessons on stars, constellations, and planetary systems. Officials say the initiative is part of a broader effort to bring STEM education to under-resourced schools.
The Travelling Telescope, led by space-education advocate Susan Murabana, is also working with the African Planetarium Association to build capacity for planetarium-based learning in Kenya. Murabana — whose organisation runs a permanent bamboo-dome planetarium in Nairobi — has shared that the mobile planetarium visits help pupils visualize space phenomena in ways not possible with textbooks. During these sessions, learners engage with satellite imagery, participate in virtual space flights, and discuss real-world topics like climate change, environmental stewardship, and how humanity explores outer space.
Reactions from the school community have been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers say that after the planetarium shows, students often ask deeper, more thoughtful questions — not just about stars, but about physics, technology, and big-picture issues like the sustainability of life on Earth. Parents and school leaders see this exposure as a meaningful way to build curiosity and strengthen the pipeline for students who may pursue STEM careers but lack access to high-level science resources.
Looking ahead, The Travelling Telescope teams hope to scale up the programme to include more schools around Nairobi, especially those in informal settlements. They are planning to expand the number of mobile planetarium sessions and integrate the experience into regular science curricula. With sustained support, the initiative could help position Nairobi as a leader in space-science education — nurturing a generation of students who don’t just read about the stars, but understand and imagine how to reach them.