ASP2026—Teachers Program at the 9th African School of Physics
CEMASTEA, Nairobi, Kenya
The 9th African School of Physics, ASP2026, is planned at CEMESTEA and the University of Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5-19, 2026. ASP2026 consists of several activities:
- A program for university students, July 5-19, 2026: we selected 169 students from 436 applications from 45 countries.
- A training workshop for high school teachers: we expect 80 teachers from Kenya, selected by their relevant authorities, July 6-9&11, 2026.
- A Forum to engage African policymakers in physics education and research on July 10, 2026.
- An outreach program for high school students on July 13-17, 2026.
In this agenda, we define the details of the scientific program for high school teachers.
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Arrival and registration
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Opening Ceremony and Keynotes
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1
Opening Ceremony
Guests of Honor addresses / from CEMESTEA, from UoN / from IOC
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2
Keynote
Fundamental physics research in Kenya
Speaker: Dr David Otwoma -
3
Keynote
Applied physics research in Kenya
Speaker: Prof. Wilson Ng'etich
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1
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4
COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Opening Ceremony and Keynotes
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5
Keynote
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Speaker: Mirjana Povic
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5
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1:00 PM
LUNCH
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Introduction to Tracks
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Summary, reflection, evaluation
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6
Discussion time
- Q&A on keynotes
- Hopes, fears, expectations for the workshop
During Q&A, write down a hope, fear, or expectation for the workshop on a post-it note and post on the wall.
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7
Evaluation of Session
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6
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Arrival and registration
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Discussion and organization
Map out the week, look at resources, choose tracks
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ASP2026 all-hands meeting
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Track 1: Physics Pedagogy
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8
Pedagogy of Electrostatics and Electric Current
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8
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Track 2: Internet of Things
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9
Introduction to (Micro) Python programming.
Connection PC <-> micro-controller, IDE description. Exercises: simple, standard Python programs (if possible: simulations of the trajectory of a stone thrown at different angles)
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9
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Track 3: Particle Physics
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10
Introduction to Particle Physics
- Particle cards
- Introduction to the Standard Model
- Rolling with Rutherford
Rolling with Rutherford
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10
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Track 4: Physics Experiments
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11
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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11
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Track 1: Physics Pedagogy
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12
Pedagogy of Electrostatics and Electric Current
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12
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Track 3: Particle Physics
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14
The Large Hadron Collider
- LHC talk and discussion
- Calculate the Z-boson mass
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14
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Track 4: Physics Experiments
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15
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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15
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LUNCH
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CERN/ATLAS Virtual Visit
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Track 1: Physics Pedagogy
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16
Pedagogy of Electrostatics and Electric Current
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16
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Track 3: Particle Physics
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18
Q&A and discussion
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18
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Track 4: Physics Experiments
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19
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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19
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Arrival and registration
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ASP2026 all-hands meeting
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Track 1: Physics Pedagogy
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20
Pedagogy of Magnetism
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20
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Track 3: Particle Physics
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22
W2D2 measurment
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23
Discussion of results and how to participate
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22
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Track 4: Physics Experiments
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24
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law (2 sets)
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24
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Track 1: Physics Pedagogy
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25
Pedagogy of Mirror Optics
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25
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Track 3: Particle Physics
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27
QuarkNet Data Activities
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27
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Track 4: Physics Experiments
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28
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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28
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LUNCH
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Track 1: Physics Pedagogy
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29
Pedagogy of Mirror Optics
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29
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Track 2: Internet of Things
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30
Combining sensors and LCD to create a simple weather station
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30
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Track 3: Particle Physics
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31
Discussion of classroom implementation
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31
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Track 4: Physics Experiments
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32
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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32
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Summary, reflection, evaluation
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Arrival and registration
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ASP2026 all-hands meeting
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Track 5: Physics Pedagogy
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33
Pedagogy of Electrostatics and Electric Current
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33
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Track 6: Internet of Things
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34
(Micro) Python programming; Hardware access
- Connection PC <-> micro-controller, IDE description. Exercises: simple, standard Python programs (if possible: simulations of the trajectory of a stone thrown at different angles)
- Hardware access basics
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34
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Track 7: Physics Experiments
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35
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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35
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Track 8.1: Education and Training in Particle Accelerator Science and Technology
- What is a Particle Accelerator ?
- What can we use a Particle Accelerator for ?
- Build capacity together and learning scenarios
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Track 5: Physics Pedagogy
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36
Pedagogy of Electrostatics and Electric Current
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36
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Track 6: Internet of Things
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37
Hardware access
- Programming the LED and CPU card
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37
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Track 7: Physics Experiments
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38
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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38
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Track 8.2: Astrophysics
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LUNCH
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Track 5: Physics Pedagogy
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39
Pedagogy of Electrostatics and Electric Current
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39
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Track 6: Internet of Things
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40
Reading the switch
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40
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Track 7: Physics Experiments
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41
Rotating Expereiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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41
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Track 8.2: Astrophysics
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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Arrival and registration
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Track 5: Physics Pedagogy
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42
Pedagogy of Magnetism
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42
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Track 6: Internet of Things
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43
Sensors and LCD
- temperature, humidity, barometric pressure sensors
- LCD display
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43
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Track 7: Physics Experiments
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44
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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44
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Track 8.2: Astrophysics
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LUNCH
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Track 5: Physics Pedagogy
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45
Pedagogy of Mirror Optics
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45
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Track 6: Internet of Things: Combining sensors and LCD to create a simple weather station
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Track 7: Physics Experiments
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46
Rotating Experiments
- Muon detection
- Radioactive decay simulation
- Basic spectroscopy
- Malus’ law
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46
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Track 8.2: Astrophysics
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Summary, reflection, evaluation
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COFFEE/TEA BREAK
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