Published: 17 October 2008
Space Schools to unleash talent and excitement for STEM subjects
A unique new scheme to use the excitement of space to teach science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in specialist secondary schools in England has been over-subscribed.
Thirty ‘space schools’ across the country are taking part in the two year ‘Leading Space Education Programme’ funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and run by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT).
The scheme will support schools to develop teaching approaches using space as contexts and applications to engage students.
Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, said:
"Space exploitation captures children’s imagination.
The schools which have been selected for this scheme have been chosen because of the exciting ways they intend to use space across the different subjects to inspire children in the classroom.
If we can demonstrate to children the interesting challenges that scientists and engineers face when designing a mission to Mars for example and relate this to their own work in the classroom, we can start a lifelong passion that will motivate students to study these subjects at GCSE, A-level and beyond.
If we can keep hold of this excitement, we can create a new skilled generation with exciting careers ahead of them in the technologies, sciences and engineering that underpin modern living.
Space science isn’t just about the technology needed to send a rocket into space, the technologies developed have practical applications for all of us, a simple example would be the GPS in most of our cars.
Space research can also help us to understand some of the most pressing challenges we all face – our understanding of climate change is already being furthered by satellites and the orbiting space station which monitor meteorological patterns."
The Leading Space Education Programme was launched with a teachers’ conference hosted at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
STFC not only hosts specialist facilities at its Space Science and Technology Department, but also pays the UK membership of the European Space Agency and funds the UK’s space science programme.
The programme includes missions to study the Sun, search for evidence of life on Mars and understand our place in the solar system. This expertise puts STFC at the heart of exciting space projects and opportunities that capture the imagination of students.
Professor Keith Mason, CEO of STFC said:
"Space is a subject in which the UK excels.
By taking the UK’s expertise in Space into the classroom, we can inspire the next generation to unleash their talents in science, engineering and technology, encouraging the skilled work forces we need both in science and the UK economy more widely."
Over 70 schools applied to join the scheme, providing first plans on how they would use ‘space’ in their teaching.
The 30 selected schools will be using space as a theme to develop lessons, cross-subject collaboration, learning resources and enrichment activities with the aim of enthusing their students about science.
For example they will:
- have access to existing resources from STFC, NASA and ESA education programmes
- use space education to enrich the teaching and learning of STEM subjects and skills across the curriculum
- create innovative space activities, such as space clubs that involve parents and the wider community
- support primary and secondary teachers with using space education through developing pedagogy and providing resources
- partner with the space industry and higher education to enliven space education
They will then share their experience with local secondary schools and feeder primary schools.
In return schools will receive support, resources and opportunities to meet with and visit those working in space research and industry.
Elizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust said:
"By getting students excited about science, technology, engineering and maths we can increase participation and raise achievement. That is why this programme is so important.
By using the wonder of space and space travel, schools will develop innovative lessons and teaching resources, as well as a wide range of activities such as school trips that engage students in these subjects and provide them with the opportunity to fulfil their potential."
Participant schools from across the regions of England have been selected from specialist science, technology and engineering colleges that have extensive experience of curriculum innovation and school to school support.
The SSAT’s programme will enable teachers to develop teaching practice and share innovative approaches with each other across local, regional and national networks of schools.
The selected schools will receive support and resources connected with space activities and in return, agree to develop and share their expertise in space with local secondary schools and feeder primary schools.
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