Over the last month thirty-three Space Academy competition
winners from East Midlands schools took part in Space School UK, a
residential summer school that allowed the winners to spend a week
with some of the UK's leading rocket scientists, participate in
elements of astronaut training and work with some of the worlds
largest companies within the space industry.
Over 75 entries were received all covering the required theme
"So you want to be an Astronaut?" The competition brief also asked
for the projects to be linked with the science the students are
studying at school. The project entries took many different
formats from detailed and well researched essays to beautifully
presented posters crammed with curriculum focused information.
Some of the more creative students produced rockets to
display facts on astronaut training and how rockets work. A
model of the moon was even submitted! The media savvy amongst
the entrants produced high quality films to convey the required
subject content.
Dr Sarah Hill, Space Academy Project Manager, who organised this
years competition said; "the amount of work put in by the students
was outstanding and the quality of the projects exceeded our
expectations, all the students thoroughly deserved their places on
Space School UK and the feedback from each and every one of them
shows that the experience was inspiring but above all fun."
This year was one of the most successful and well attended Space
Schools ever with over 70 participants taking part in the Senior
Space School week of the event. Students travel from all over
Europe to take part in Space School UK.
The competition was held as part of East Midlands Development
Agency (emda) funded Space Academy programme. Space Academy is a
partnership led by the National Space Centre and including the
University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, Science Learning
Centre East Midlands and STEMNET.
Dhan-sham Rana, a Space School participant funded by the Space
Academy in 2008 said; "UK Space School is one of the best
things I have ever done"
Favourite activities from the week include a trip to Airkix to
try skydiving in the vertical wind tunnel, designing payloads to
launch on solid fuel rockets and astronaut underwater training
using scuba gear. Days at the University of Leicester and the
National Space Centre provide a rigorous academic workout for
participants where they have their physics brains stretched beyond
normal classroom limits.
Planning is already underway for the competition to be run again
in 2010 so even more regional students can benefit from the
inspiring residential experience Space School UK provides.
What is the Space Academy?
Using the contexts of space and climate change as inspirational
hooks, the Space Academy is a ground-breaking strategic Science
Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme, that works
simultaneously with students, educators and industry to:
Enrich and extend the curriculum learning experiences of
students from KS2-5 with new initiatives for the 14-19 age
range
• Enhance the understanding and use of space technology by
classroom practitioners
• Promote wider opportunities for students to access
academic and vocational pathways in higher education
• Show learners how they can map out careers in
space/aerospace industries, science, technology, engineering and
mathematics
Andrew Morgan, emda's Skills & Communities Director,
said: "The Leicester-based Space Academy runs a range of
fantastic workshops for young people and this competition is no
exception. emda's investment in this inspiring programme is
playing an important role in helping to increase the number and
quality of scientists and engineers available to business in the
East Midlands and the UK. This will help us move towards the
shared, long-term goal of creating a flourishing region by
2020."