Mission control for UK's Space Academy at NASA

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26/02/2009

Scientists and educators from the UK's first Space Academy in Leicester have been on a mission to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to showcase their ideas on space and science teaching.

Science teachers, Judith Green and Steve Althorpe, from Robert Smyth School in Market Harborough gave a presentation with Dr Simon Roberts from The University of Nottingham and National Space Centre Education Director Anu Ojha.

Their presentation was part of NASA's Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC), the largest space education event in the world, drawing more than 600 teachers, scientists and engineers from the US, Canada and Japan.  

The Space Academy's team highlighted the UK's world-leading space expertise in robotic solar system exploration and focused on the Rosetta mission to Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Attendees at their presentation included NASA scientists, educators from all over the United States and Rhonda Foale, the wife of Lincolnshire-born current NASA astronaut Dr Michael Foale.

The Space Academy at the National Space Centre in Leicester has been set up in partnership with the University of Leicester, The University of Nottingham, the Regional Science Learning Centre for the East Midlands and STEMNET, with funding from East Midlands Development Agency (emda). It aims to show how the inspirational "hooks" of space and climate change can change students' and teachers' perceptions of secondary school science.

Anu Ojha, the Space Academy Project Director, said: "We are delighted that two of the UK's leading science teachers had the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas at such a prestigious event.

"We've brought in the very best scientists and teachers to the Space Academy project. Judith and Steve were up against a national field of candidates for their seconded posts as Space Academy Lead Educators. Their enthusiasm, track records of student success in examinations and total commitment shone through and underpins all of their work on the project so far. To present the opening sessions at a NASA conference was not only an honour for all of us, but also shows just how ground-breaking and innovative the Space Academy project is."

Steve Althorpe is Head of Science at Robert Smyth School.  He said: "The conference was a unique opportunity to share our expertise and enthusiasm with other professionals who share our love of space." Judith, an Advanced Skills Teacher at the school, added: "We will take what we've learnt at the conference back to the Space Academy to inspire and enthuse our students about what they can do and where they can go with science."

Andrew Morgan, Skills and Communities Director atemda, said: "The Space Academy is a fantastic initiative. We are delighted to be supporting such an imaginative programme, which will help increase the number and quality of scientists and engineers available to employers in the East Midlands and the UK."      

The Space Academy team's presentation was so well received that their teaching ideas will be adopted by Rice University in Houston from April 2009. They were also invited to present future workshops to teachers in Maryland and other US states.

The Space Academy provides education programmes, summer space schools, roadshows and conferences for science teachers, built around schools' curricula in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) using space as the inspirational hook. It is aimed at students from 9-19 years of age and their teachers in the East Midlands, and encourages and supports them to consider the benefits and challenges of careers in these fields. It draws on the skills and reputations of universities in the region, which are international leaders in space-related subjects, and employers who need scientists and engineers.

Anu Ojha presented a paper on the project at the prestigious International Astronautical Congress last year to an audience including NASA Associate Administrator for Education Dr Joyce Winterton. NASA, the European Space Agency and the European Union have all taken an active interest in how this unique curriculum-focused programme to support learners, educators and industry can be applied in other countries and involve other space agencies.

For further details on the Space Academy, please contact Dr Sarah Hill, Space Academy Project Manager:sarahh@spacecentre.co.uk  or 0116 258 2125.

ENDS

Editor's Notes

The National Space Centre has pioneered the use of space in science education since opening in 2001 with over 50 000 school children and 2000 teachers annually undertaking short education visits to the Centre. The Space Academy builds on  these existing programmes by providing progressive, sustained curriculum support for 14-19 year olds and their teachers whilst sharing with them the excitement and discoveries of space scientists from our region's world leading space universities. 

Other leading institutions in the Space Academy Partnership include:

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) - Funding support of £990K over three years - The Space Academy is a major part ofemda's wider STEM Skills agenda.

emdais one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.

Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) 'A Flourishing Region', which sets out regional priorities until 2020.

The RES, coordinated byemda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; 'Prosperity Through People' and 'Destination 2010'.

In early 2007 the National Audit Office announcedemdahad received the highest possible grade of 'performing strongly' in an independent assessment of our work - scoring 22 out of 24.

For more details visitwww.emda.org.uk

University of Leicester - The University of Leicester has been shortlisted for University of the Year for the past 4 years and is ranked as a top 20 university in the UK.  The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester houses some of the world's leading research in space, planetary and astrophysical science. The Department has a vibrant undergraduate degree programme in these areas and also carries out a wide-ranging outreach activity in schools and the wider community. Space School UK, an annual residential summer school and an important part of the Space Academy plan, has been a feature of this for 10 years.

The University of Nottingham - The University of Nottingham is Britain's University of the Year (The Times Higher Awards 2006). It undertakes world-changing research, provides innovative teaching and a student experience of the highest quality. Ranked by Newsweek in the world's Top 75 universities, its academics have won two Nobel Prizes since 2003. The University is an international institution with campuses in the United Kingdom, Malaysia and China.

Science Learning Centre East Midlands - based at the School of Education, University of Leicester, the Centre provides a programme of innovative Continuing Professional Development for all those involved in science education including primary, secondary and FE teachers as well as technicians and classroom assistants. The courses are presented by leading academics, scientists and educationalists who set out to bring cutting-edge research and innovative pedagogy into schools.

STEMNET aims to ensure that more young people in the UK make a choice to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related careers at all levels, and future generations are properly informed about the science and technology that surrounds them.

With the support of its partners, STEMNET achieves this in two ways:

· By bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities, experiences and excitement  into classrooms throughout the UK, enhancing and enriching the national STEM curriculum. 

· By linking those companies and other organisations that employ STEM educated people, and schools, in such a way that young people can get a clear idea of the diverse and exciting range of careers available to them

• For more details visitwww.stemnet.org.uk

emda press contact

:

Victoria Dyson on 0115 947 1778 or emailvictoriadyson@emd.org.uk

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