Cosmos Education Zambia (CEZ) is a nonprofit non governmental organization dedicated to promoting Science and Technology education and the role of science in Health, Environment and Sustainable development. Cosmos Education Zambia was founded in 2000 and is a registered charity organization (ORS/102/35/3017) under section 7 of the Societies Act of the Republic of Zambia.
Cosmos Education Zambia is a sister organization of Cosmos Education Kenya headquartered in Nairobi, Cosmos Education USA headquartered in San Francisco, California and Cosmos Education UK headquartered in Portsmouth, England. All three organizations are non profit organizations/charities that work in partnership with Cosmos Education Zambia operations. The primary aim of both USA & UK)organizations is to mobilize resources and provide training and mentorship for Cosmos Education Zambia’s membership. This innovative relationship allows Cosmos Education Zambia to fundraise in the US and the UK through an established foundation which can facilitate matching funds for operational growth. It also provides the assurance of accountability and compliance with the U.S. and U.K. charitable-giving laws and reporting standards. In addition, this twinning relationship empowers Zambian people to provide quality services to Zambian youth by utilizing international best practices and creative solutions..
Cosmos Education Zambia has actively engaged its members in activities geared to promote science and technology education in Zambia. Such activities include science exhibitions,tree-planting events, and clean-up campaigns.All of these activities are geared to one underlying purpose:
To engage, inspire, and empower youth to use science and technology as a tool to better their lives and their communities.
Overall objectives
CEZ seeks do the following:
To engage, inspire, and empower a generation of young scientists to use critical thinking/reasoning when addressing problems faced in Zambia.
To encourage youth to pursue careers in science/technology and to identify the social hazards of "brain drain.”
To address health, specifically HIV/AIDS, from a scientific perspective so as to inform youth about reproductive health and to protect them from HIV/AIDS.
To raise the awareness of the rapid depletion of Zambia’s natural resources and empower youth to active scientists in support of the environment.
Specific Targets
To enhance Cosmos Education Zambia’s operations in Lusaka with the intent to make local youth advocates at the government and civil society level.
To effectively co-ordinate efforts for our annual Under African Skies program so that its aim is more along the lines of educator workshops and trainings.
To conduct activities(i.e. school visits, tree-planting ceremonies, and science exhibitions) that will engage youth in science and technology education.
To establish a Lusaka-based resource center for youth interested in pursuing careers in science/technology.
Expected Inputs
Enhancement of Cosmos Clubs in schools and periodic visits by CEZ staff/volunteers
A calendar of activities geared to each grade level with objectives targeting certain areas.
Workshops (twice a year) for teachers in catchment areas to better integrate CEZ approach to promoting science/technology education among youth.
Bimonthly meetings with representatives from the National Science and Technology Council, Ministry of Science and Technology, National Science and Technology Centre, UNESCO—Zambia, Ministry of Education, Research Based Institutions, and Non-Governmental Organizations to identify best practices and to enhance further networking.
Expected Outputs
Solid coalition of government and civil society stakeholders in promoting science and technology among youth.
An increase in college/university bound youth, specifically females, to pursue science as a career.
Increase in science/math national exam scores for youth in catchment area (particularly rural areas).
Increase in the number of science teachers in primary and secondary schools.
Empowerment of youth to become active members in future CEZ operations.
Increased number of Zambian trained to promote science/technology among Zambian youth.
Improved systems, structures and networks on the local, regional and/or national level that support development of science/technology programs, that gather and use information, and that develop long-term policy and program responses
