uk space conference: space academy (anu ojha)

Anu OjhaDirector, Education and Space CommunicationsNational Space Centreanuo@spacecentre.co.uk

•An overview of the Space Academy programme•Some reflections on public awareness of space…….and “so what??”•Final thoughts

“There are two areas of science that most fascinate and inspire young people……..but the dinosaurs aren’t coming back!”

*A three year development programme to EMDA to establish a Space Academy for STEM Education, regionally based but national in scope

*Project Lead: National Space Centre

*Partners: University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, STEMNET, Science Learning Centre East Midlands

*Affiliates : The EMDA STEM partnership; Aim Higher; regional SETPOINTS, National and Regional Space and Aerospace Companies, Knowledge Transfer Networks

What is the Space Academy project?

Space Academy Aims*To provide existing and new education programmes that use space as the inspiration tool to motivate young people to choose science, technology and engineering for their career paths

*To deliver sustained space-related STEM education programmes throughout the region, progressively covering Key Stages 2 through 5 – with a focus on 14-19 students and targeting regional colleges and hard- to-reach schools

*To link with businesses and employers, with particular focus on high value space and aerospace sectors

*To provide relevant workforce skills training for the high-tech business sector

*To provide educational resources and training opportunities for teachers and educators that fit the national STEM agenda and the new STEM curricula

What is distinctive about this programme?

• A sustained, progressive programme of curriculum support in STEM subjects

• Works simultaneously with learners, educators and industry• Couples the inspirational contexts of space and climate change• Programme is developed in conjunction with

nationally/internationally recognised experts in space science, education and industry

• Education content for students to be created and delivered in partnership with recognised Lead Educators / ASTs

• Addresses both academic and vocational pathways from the outset

Primary Stardome:Science Story Telling

(NSC/Astra Zeneca)

E-mission Videoconference. Programmes. (NSC/Schools)

Challenger Missions (NSC)

Endeavour Science Learning Centre (LCC/Schools)

E-missions (NSC/Schools)

KS 2-3

KS-4/GCSE

Space Academy STEM Provision

KS-5/A-Level/BTEC

Outreach to schools (UoL/UN)

Mars RoverProjects

(LColl/NSC)

Road ShowsChallengerse-missions

Space School UK

(UoL)

Careers Pathways New KS5

Project

Careers Pathway NSC/EMDA/STFCNew KS4 Project

Careers Fairs

Work experienceHE/FE/Industry

STEM Careers

Uni courses.

HE/Professional Appointments

Space ConferenceFor Science Teachers

Existing NSC SA programmes

New SA programmes

Other related programmes linking to SA

“Mars as the abode of life”

“Awayday to Mars”……AS/A2 curricula areas

•The nature of gravity•Newton’s Laws and momentum changes/conservation•Orbits and escape velocity•Terminal velocity and drag forces•Electromagnetic spectrum•Ideal gas behaviour and phase changes•Electrical power, inverse square laws and the photoelectric effect

"Away Day to Mars is a fantastic way for A-level physics students to develop and stretch their skills in the inspirational context of Solar System exploration.”

Dr James Carpenter, planetary and space scientist with ESA’s robotic exploration programme (Aurora)

The full programme…from Sept 2008•A Level and GCSE masterclasses in Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Chemistry and Mathematics•Vocational support for KS4 and post-16 diplomas•Summer roadshows and national/international space school participation•Residential teacher conferences and other CPD opportunities•Careers fairs and industry open days

Beyond the STEM agenda-space communications and the public understanding of science

•Does it really matter? – after all, those who need to know, know•What’s our role as a space community in this “public awareness” business? – we didn’t do media studies at University!

The vision…..

“to improve public and political recognition of the value of space systems as part of the critical national infrastructure”

The strategic outcome by 2012…..

“increased public recognition that space is important to our economic success”

Final thoughts………what’s your all-time favourite picture from the Space Age?