UK Space Agency brings astronaut’s mission to children across
the UK
UK Space Agency invests over £1.5 million in education and outreach projects
that harness inspirational power of European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut
Tim Peake’s space mission
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£684,868 for interactive shows at 20 UK science centres
£660,000 for specialist space ambassadors to visit 1000 primary schools
£100,000 for innovative school projects that celebrate Tim Peake’s
mission
£140,000 for Principia Grant Scheme
As British ESA astronaut Tim Peake counts down to his flight to the International
Space Station (ISS), the UK Space Agency is launching and funding an array of new
initiatives that will allow him to share his mission with the children of the UK, bringing
the excitement of space to classrooms and venues across the country and
encouraging interest in STEM subjects.
The new projects were announced today (14 July 2015) at the UK Space
Conference 2015.
Minister for Universities and Science Jo Johnson said:
“Tim Peake’s space mission will be a huge moment in British history that we want
young people all across the country to share in. I hope that schools and students will
get involved with these fantastic projects to follow Tim’s journey and learn alongside
him as he flies into space to carry out experiments aboard the International Space
Station.”
Interactive shows at UK Science Centres
Later this year, 20 of the nation’s top science and discovery centres will launch an
inspirational and exciting hands-on programme of space activities and experiments
for children, schools and families across the UK. Destination Space will be launched
during the autumn and will run throughout Tim’s mission. It will give children across
the nation the chance to learn about Tim Peake’s mission through hands-on
experiments, rocket demonstrations, astronaut equipment and live video from the
International Space Station.
Tim Peake Primary Project
The Tim Peake Primary Project, delivered to the country by the UK Space Education
Office (ESERO-UK), co-funded by ESA and UKSA, will engage with 1000 primary
schools, delivering a range of free space activities that will help primary students to
engage with science, numeracy and literacy. Starting in September 2015 it will be
working with primary schools to increase:
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enjoyment and engagement in all lessons using the context of space
confidence in learning science and working scientifically
knowledge of career opportunities available to pupils who study science,
technology and maths subjects•
teacher confidence in teaching space topics
The ESERO-UK network of Space Ambassadors will help schools take part in a
range of space activities that have been created to support Tim’s mission to the ISS.
These activities will also include professional development for teachers.
Example activities include:
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free access to resources and activities developed to link with Tim Peake's
mission
‘Rocket Science’ - planting rocket seeds that have flown in space
Astro Pi resources, which help teach computing using a Raspberry Pi
computer
help in achieving the Space Education Quality Mark
(http://www.esero.org.uk/seqm)
loans of a ‘Space Case’ of resources to support teaching of materials
in-classroom support to deliver inspiring space lessons
teacher Continuing Professional Development (CPD) delivered face-to-face or
online
Tim Peake Grant Scheme
In addition to the Tim Peake Primary Project, ESERO-UK, with funding from the UK
Space Agency, has grants of £1000 available for both primary and secondary
schools to apply for. The money will be used for innovative projects to celebrate Tim
Peake’s mission to the International Space Station. Projects will be creative, have a
lasting impact and can cover a wide range of subjects, including STEM, art, design,
drama, food, and music. Schools must submit their proposals by Wednesday 22 July
2015.
Principia projects
To complement the work of the Tim Peake Primary Project and Grant Scheme, the
UK Space Agency is also running a host of other education and outreach projects
across a variety of subjects. 9 of these projects have just been selected under the
Principia Grant Scheme.
The 9 new projects, ranging from film making to space radiation experiments, will be
run by other organisations and will support the education and outreach opportunities
presented by Tim’s mission to the ISS.
The scheme was open to both organisations and individuals with innovative ideas for
projects that support the education aims of the UK Space Agency and encourage
participation in STEM subjects.
Funding has been awarded to The Royal Institution, Unlimited Theatre, Literature
Works, Into Film, Gallomanor, Glasgow Science Festival, The Langton Star Centre,
Astrobiology Society of Britain and University of Nottingham and Lucy Hawking/
Curved House Kids with the support of Professor Peter McOwan at QMUL.
Further details of the new projects will be released soon.
Contact
Julia Short
Press Officer
UK Space Agency
Tel: +44 (0)1793 418069
Mobile: +44 (0)7770 276721
Email: julia.short@ukspaceagency.bis.gsi.gov.uk
Images of Tim Peake
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/content/search?SearchText=Timothy+Peake&img
=1&SearchButton=Go
Notes for editors
1. More information and an online application form for the Tim Peake Primary
project can be found on ESERO’s dedicated Tim Peake website:
www.esero.org.uk/timpeake
2. More information on the Tim Peake Grant Scheme can be found on ESERO’s
dedicated Tim Peake website: www.esero.org.uk/timpeake
3. Tim Peake will be the first British ESA astronaut to live and work on the ISS.
His mission, named Principia after Newton’s world-changing three-part text on
physics, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, is scheduled to begin
in December 2015. Whilst on-board the ISS he will be using the unique
environment of space to run experiments as well as trying out new
technologies for future human exploration missions.
4. National Strategy for Space Environments and Human Spaceflight
Launched today (6 July 2015) the National Strategy for Space Environments
and Human Spaceflight covers a range of scientific and technical disciplines,
giving a coherent picture for activities which utilise the space environment –
from fundamental physics and novel materials to healthcare technologies and
space science – and sets out the UK’s vision for human spaceflight. A public
consultation on the Strategy was conducted in 2014, following which a
government response was published and the draft Strategy revised
UK Space Agency
The UK Space Agency is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and benefit from
space. It is responsible for all strategic decisions on the UK civil space programme
and provides a clear, single voice for UK space ambitions.
The Agency is responsible for ensuring that the UK retains and grows a strategic
capability in the space-based systems, technologies, science and applications. It
leads the UK’s civil space programme in order to win sustainable economic growth,
secure new scientific knowledge and provide benefits to all citizens.
The UK Space Agency:
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co-ordinates UK civil space activity
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encourages academic research
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supports the UK space industry
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raises the profile of UK space activities at home and abroad
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increases understanding of space science and its practical benefits
•
inspires our next generation of UK scientists and engineers
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licences the launch and operation of UK spacecraft
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promotes co-operation and participation in the European Space programme
ESERO UK
ESERO-UK, also known as the UK Space Education Office, aims to promote the use
of space to enhance and support the teaching and learning of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in schools and colleges throughout the UK. It
is a joint education project based at the National STEM Centre, funded by the
European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, Department for Education and the
Science and Technology Facilities Council.
www.esero.org.uk
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to
shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in
space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, of whom 18 are Member States of the EU. Two other Member States of
the EU, Hungary and Estonia, are likely soon to become new ESA Member States.
ESA has Cooperation Agreements with six other Member States of the EU. Canada
takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
ESA is also working with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus
programmes.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can
undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European
country.
ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe
at the forefront of global space activities.
Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation,
telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar
System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int