Kanty Astronomy Research Group

SheMatters is a STEM outreach program led by the Kanty Astronomy Research Group (KARG) in collaboration with Akany Avoko Ambohidratrimo (AAA), Madagascar. It was created to give girls from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to discover science in a different way by exploring, creating, asking questions and having fun.

What makes SheMatters especially meaningful to us is that the programme is led by women. Women take an active role in planning, organising and leading the activities. Through these interactions, the girls can meet women involved in science and astronomy and see them not only as scientists, but also as leaders, mentors and people they can look up to.

The programme is designed for girls aged 12–18. Instead of simply learning science from a textbook, they get to experience it themselves. They discover the planets, the Solar System and the Milky Way through creative activities, games, discussions and hands-on activities. They also learn about inspiring women in science and discover different ways they could pursue their own interests in STEM.

Astronomy is the main thread running through the programme, but there is much more to it than astronomy. We want the girls to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their ideas and working with others. Activities are therefore designed to build curiosity, creativity, communication, teamwork and confidence. When possible, the girls also get the chance to look at the night sky through a telescope and experience the excitement of observing the Universe themselves.

We use simple and accessible materials to make science easier to explore. These include astronomy card games, posters, pinhole projection activities and other hands-on resources. Most of the materials are already prepared, and a group of volunteers is ready to help make the activities happen.

For us, SheMatters is ultimately about opening doors and creating possibilities. We want every girl to leave a session feeling that science is something she can enjoy, understand and be part of. Maybe one day, some of them will become scientists, engineers, researchers or STEM leaders themselves. The girls are at the heart of SheMatters. Through their words, ideas and creativity, they share what science and astronomy mean to them and how they experienced the programme.

As part of the first edition, one of the participants expressed her experience through a poem written in Malagasy. The English translation is shared below to allow a wider audience to discover her perspective and the meaning she found in the experience.