From the International Space Station to South African Classrooms
When children meet an astronaut, something remarkable happens.
For a few moments, space no longer feels distant. The International Space Station becomes real. Science becomes personal. And careers that once felt impossible suddenly become imaginable.
For nearly a decade, I-Innovate has been privileged to partner with incredible organisations like Living Maths, Sakhikamva Foundation, schools, universities, researchers and community organisations to bring the wonder of space exploration directly into South African classrooms.
What began with an ambitious vision to connect learners to the International Space Station has grown into a national movement that has reached thousands of learners across urban, township and rural communities through astronaut visits, live links with space, authentic scientific research and hands-on engineering experiences.
Because the goal has never simply been to teach about space.
It has always been about helping young people see what is possible for themselves.
Dr. Sian Proctor, geoscientist, space artist, and commercial astronaut. The first African American woman to pilot a Spacecraft. At Christoph Meyer Maths and Science Centre, Rural KZN, Space Tour 2024.
It Started with a Question
How do we move beyond teaching science from a textbook?
How do we allow learners to experience science as scientists?
That question led I-Innovate to become one of the first organisations in Africa to bring the internationally recognised ExoLab programme into South African schools.
The first students in Africa to study plants in Space with ExoLab and I-Innovate. Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology, 2018.
Working alongside international researchers, NASA scientists, Magnitude.io and the Centre for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), learners conducted genuine plant-growth investigations linked directly to the International Space Station, comparing their classroom experiments with identical experiments orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth.
Instead of reading about microgravity, students investigated it.
Instead of memorising scientific facts, they collected data, analysed results, developed hypotheses and experienced the process of scientific discovery.
The programme empowered teachers to deliver multidisciplinary STEAM learning while exposing students to authentic scientific research and future career pathways.
Bringing Astronauts into South African Classrooms
While ExoLab connected learners to science happening aboard the International Space Station, the annual Space Tours led by Living Maths, made that experience deeply personal.
Over the years, I-Innovate has been a proud partner, helping to bring an extraordinary lineup of NASA astronauts to South Africa through the Living Maths Space Tour.
These visits and experiences have enabled thousands of young people to ask questions directly to astronauts who have lived and worked in space.
Among them have been:
- Dr Don Thomas
- Greg Johnson (live from the Boy Scouts of America International Jamboree)
- Drew Morgan (live from the International Space Station)
- Nicole Stott
- Dr Sian Proctor
- and this year’s astronaut, Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger.
Each astronaut has shared a different story, but the message has remained remarkably consistent:
Dream boldly.
Stay curious.
Failure is part of discovery.
Science changes lives.
Dr. Donald A. “Don” Thomas, former NASA astronaut, aerospace engineer, and veteran of four Space Shuttle missions, inspiring the next generation of innovators during the Cape Town Space Tour 2018
Real Scientists. Real Space. Real Inspiration.
One of the defining moments came in 2019 when learners connected live with NASA astronaut Drew Morgan while he was aboard the International Space Station during the World Scout Jamboree.
South African learners were able to ask questions directly to an astronaut living in orbit—turning what could have been a lesson into an unforgettable experience.
South African Scout connects live with NASA astronaut Drew Morgan aboard the International Space Station, I-Innovate Space Event, World Scout Jamboree, 2019.
That same year, former NASA astronaut Dr Don Thomas toured South Africa, encouraging learners to persevere through failure and pursue ambitious dreams.
Thousands of students, teachers, parents and community members attended the Space Tour events that took place across the country, and participated in outreach activities and community engagements.
For many learners, it was the first time they had ever met a scientist—let alone someone who had travelled into space.
Space Belongs to everyone
One of the principles that has guided every Space Tour has been accessibility.
From Cape Town to Johannesburg, Durban, rural KwaZulu-Natal and township communities, I-Innovate has intentionally focused on ensuring that world-class STEAM opportunities reach learners who may never otherwise encounter them.
Through partnerships with schools, community organisations, corporate partners, and many others, learners have participated regardless of geography or socioeconomic background.
Because talent is universal.
Opportunity is not.
Students in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal getting excited about the 2024 Space Tour.
Building South Africa's Space Ecosystem
While astronauts inspire possibility, sustained impact comes from building local pathways.
Over the years, I-Innovate has worked alongside South African leaders in space science and engineering—including collaborations with ASRI, now ASREG—to help learners understand that exciting careers in space do not only exist overseas.
South Africa is home to world-class astronomy, satellite technology, remote sensing and aerospace research, and these partnerships have helped connect learners with the remarkable work already happening on our own continent.
By combining international inspiration with local expertise, students begin to see that they can contribute to solving global challenges from right here in South Africa.
Space Week hands-on activities and experiments with Sakhikamva Foundation, Cape Town, 2021.
Nicole Stott: Seeing Earth as One Planet
A particularly meaningful chapter in the journey was welcoming retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott to South Africa.
Known for her powerful message of environmental stewardship and global citizenship, Nicole encouraged learners to view Earth the way astronauts do—from space.
Without borders.
As one shared home.
Her visit reinforced that space exploration is not only about rockets and astronauts.
It is about understanding our planet better and working together to protect it.
Former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott inspiring audiences in Cape Town at the 2023 Space Tour, by sharing her experiences aboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
Inspiring a New Generation of Space Explorers: Dr Sian Proctor
In 2024, I-Innovate partnered with Living Maths to welcome Dr Sian Proctor to South Africa—one of the leading voices in the new era of space exploration.
As the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft on the Inspiration4 mission, Dr Proctor embodies the future of human spaceflight. An astronaut, geoscientist, educator and artist, she encouraged learners to embrace curiosity, creativity and resilience, reminding them that the future of space exploration needs scientists, engineers, artists, educators and innovators alike.
Her visit also coincided with the International Astronomical Union General Assembly, hosted in Africa for the first time, reinforcing the importance of inspiring young Africans to see themselves as future leaders in STEM and beyond.
Dr Proctor’s message perfectly reflected I-Innovate’s mission: empowering young people to believe that their ideas, talents and curiosity can help shape the future—on Earth and beyond.
Dr. Sian Proctor, inspiring learners at Christoph Meyer School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Rural KZN, 2024.
2026: Welcoming Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger
This year’s Living Maths Space Tour marks another exciting milestone.
Former NASA astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger joins learners across South Africa, bringing together her unique experience as an astronaut, geologist, educator and STEAM advocate.
Through I-Innovate’s partnership with Living Maths, the Durban programme reaches learners from a wide range of educational contexts—including underserved schools, rural communities, independent schools and a large public event designed to inspire the broader community.
Having flown aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station, Dottie brings not only stories from space but a powerful message about leadership, teamwork, resilience and lifelong curiosity.
For thousands of South African learners, her visit may be the moment that transforms an interest in science into a future career.
Former NASA astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger inspiring learners at the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology, 2026.
Looking Forward
Looking back over the years, the astronauts are certainly unforgettable.
But perhaps the greatest achievement has never been bringing astronauts to South Africa.
It has been helping South African children believe that they, too, can become scientists, engineers, innovators, researchers and explorers.
Through ExoLab, authentic scientific research, partnerships with Living Maths, Sakhikamva Foundation, corporate sponsors, local and global space experts, and countless educators, every Space Tour has been about creating opportunities that last far beyond a single event.
The next generation of explorers may never all travel into space.
But many will solve problems here on Earth that shape humanity’s future.
If these years have taught us anything, it is that curiosity is contagious—and sometimes all it takes is one conversation with an astronaut to change the trajectory of a young person’s life forever.
As we welcome Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger to South Africa in 2026, we celebrate not just another Space Tour, but years of inspiring young minds through extraordinary encounters with astronauts, scientists and innovators. Together with our partners and sponsors, we’re helping ensure that the next generation of explorers, engineers and changemakers knows that the journey to the stars can begin in any classroom, in any community, anywhere in South Africa.
Dr. Don Thomas, Former NASA Astronaut, sharing stories of failures and successes in Cape Town, 2019.