Inspiring Careers in the Space Industry for Wales
Lead Research Organisation:
AstroCymru (Wales)
Department Name: Education and Outreach
Abstract
By providing weekly space related workshops that focus on careers in the space sector in Wales and to promote the work UKRI/STFC provide this project will aim to:
* Introduce more space related STEAM activities in regions of low/no science capital.
* Increase enjoyment and engagement in cross-curricular STEAM sessions using space as a context
* Raise participants aspirations in STEAM subjects
* Offer opportunities for the younger generations to participate in regular activities throughout the school holidays. Boredom is one of the major factors for anti-social behaviour in deprived communities, thus we aim to alleviate this with our weekly space-related activities.
* Bring communities together by providing opportunities for families and cross generations to socialise and interact through fun filled activities
* Raise awareness of various careers in the U.K. space industry focusing on STFC apprenticeships and facilities
* Raise awareness of Wales' contribution to the U.K space industry and Welsh companies involved in the space sector
* Promote first made-in-Wales satellite launch
* Provide art and craft resources, clothing items and food parcels to families in these high deprivation areas to help with the cost of living crisis that these families endure
* Provide highly entertaining, informative and engaging Planetarium and 3D space shows
* Create an exhibition of participants work that the community can have a sense of pride in
* Introduce more space related STEAM activities in regions of low/no science capital.
* Increase enjoyment and engagement in cross-curricular STEAM sessions using space as a context
* Raise participants aspirations in STEAM subjects
* Offer opportunities for the younger generations to participate in regular activities throughout the school holidays. Boredom is one of the major factors for anti-social behaviour in deprived communities, thus we aim to alleviate this with our weekly space-related activities.
* Bring communities together by providing opportunities for families and cross generations to socialise and interact through fun filled activities
* Raise awareness of various careers in the U.K. space industry focusing on STFC apprenticeships and facilities
* Raise awareness of Wales' contribution to the U.K space industry and Welsh companies involved in the space sector
* Promote first made-in-Wales satellite launch
* Provide art and craft resources, clothing items and food parcels to families in these high deprivation areas to help with the cost of living crisis that these families endure
* Provide highly entertaining, informative and engaging Planetarium and 3D space shows
* Create an exhibition of participants work that the community can have a sense of pride in
Planned Impact
Our AstroCymru Twitter, Facebook and Instagram page will be used to publicize the work pupils have produced through images and feedback as well as to advertise our project and promote STFC to not only a like-minded audience but also the general public.
AstroCymru regularly attends conferences such as NAM, IOP Wales events and the UKSA conference, and events held by Association of Science Education - Primary and the Primary Science Teachers Trust as well as being an ambassador for the Great Science Share yearly event.
This will allow us to disseminate the project to both the research and educational communities and along with Sarah Bridgland's links, to the Arts communities also.
Our previous STFC project was promoted at Interact Cardiff during a plenary speech delivered by Emma Wride. This promoted our project to other STFC grant holders, other grant funders and science communicators who attended.
AstroCymru regularly attends conferences such as NAM, IOP Wales events and the UKSA conference, and events held by Association of Science Education - Primary and the Primary Science Teachers Trust as well as being an ambassador for the Great Science Share yearly event.
This will allow us to disseminate the project to both the research and educational communities and along with Sarah Bridgland's links, to the Arts communities also.
Our previous STFC project was promoted at Interact Cardiff during a plenary speech delivered by Emma Wride. This promoted our project to other STFC grant holders, other grant funders and science communicators who attended.
Organisations
| Description | Community Event Exhibition, 3D space shows & Planetarium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 102 people attended an exhibition of the various space related art work that participants had created during our workshops throughout the school summer holidays. Children led the exhibition by showing and explaining their different pieces of work to families and friends. They also experienced various 3D cinema space related shows covering lots of space topics from tours of the solar system to tours of galaxies and the universe. They also experienced planetarium shows that covered various topics. Participants were given a variety of STFC activity sheets in order to continue space related activities at home as well as various items of stationary that can be used to continue creativity at home and also to help with school homework. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/astrocymru/status/1699397694320779446 |
| Description | Community Workshop Designing Space T-Shirts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 79 participants attended a workshop where a presentation was given on various space topics from Solar System, to star formation and death to galaxies and what can be found in them such as nebulae, supernova, neutron stars and black holes. Lots of space related questions were answered and I explained that being in a relatively dark sky area that participants could use binoculars and telescopes to view these objects in the sky as the venue is situated on top of a mountain. STFC was promoted to explain who was funding the resources and making the workshops happen. Participants then designed their own space T-shirts using fabric paints and pens to create images of the celestial object that inspired them from the presentation. Participants were given STFC Hands on Universe booklets in order to continue an interest in space at home. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/astrocymru/status/1689300823816228864 |
| Description | Community Workshop Making & Launching Rockets, Astronaut activities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 86 participants attended a workshop where a presentation was given on the history of rockets from 10th century fireworks to first rocket launched, Apollo moon landings and space x. The science of rockets from Isaac Newton's laws of motion to aerodynamics and the difference between aeroplanes and rockets. The mathematical shapes involved in construction and the various parts of a rocket were discussed to show the engineering involved in rockets. STFC was promoted to explain who was funding the resources and workshops. Participants then designed and created their own paper rockets, including creating their own shape of fins and deciding how many fins to use and where to position them. Their rockets were then individually launched outside using an air powered compressor. All participants gathered to watch each rocket being launched. Participants were given STFC Hands on Moon booklets to encourage continued study at home. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/astrocymru/status/1689302389277286400 |
| Description | Community Workshop Making satellites, probes & rovers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 51 participants attended a workshop where a presentation was given about satellites, probes and rovers. We looked at the work STFC are doing at Chilbolton Observatory, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and we focused on companies in Wales such as Spaceforge and Airbus. Other topics covered included: Satellites from Sputnik to telecommunications, satnav, ISS and the problems with the amount of space junk and how we can solve this issue. Various satellites that have explored outer solar system such as Cassini-Huygens and Horizon mission to Pluto. Probes that have landed on Venus, Mars and Titan Rovers such as perseverance and the new ExoMars mission with the Enfys instrument collaborating with STFC and RAL. Participants then created their own Satellites, Probes and Rovers using various art and craft materials. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/astrocymru/status/1696895767846252647 |
| Description | Community Workshop Studying and Searching for Micrometeorites |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 52 participants attended a workshop where a presentation was given based on STFC's Stardust Hunters workshop. Topics covered included: Formation of the early solar system and the chemistry of dust particles that created planets, moons and asteroids. Formation of the asteroid belt and explanation of near Earth objects and potentially hazardous objects. Explanation of the nomenclature of asteroids, meteors and meteorites. Explanation of micrometeorites, what they are and how and where to find them. Participants were then given the equipment such as magnets, plastic bags and plastic pots in order to search the grounds of the venue for mircometeorites. Participants were given STFC Space Rocks booklet to continue their studying of asteroids at home. Samples were then analysed and potential micrometeorites candidates were kept to be sent off to Swansea university for Dr Sarah Roberts to analyse. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/astrocymru/status/1694601536939135182 |
| Description | Community Workshop. Careers in Space Industry For wales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 91 participants attended a workshop that provided a presentation on the various careers that are in the space industry from science communicators to astronomers and astrophysicists, focusing on inspirational people that are in Wales. Participants gained knowledge previously unknown to what career pathways they can aim to pursue such as apprenticeships and university courses in order to study Science and Engineering in the space industry. Lots of questions on how I became an astronomer/Science communicator were answered due to me being from the local area and the various space scientists I have met and collaborated with. STFC was promoted to inform participants on how the workshops are funded and resources provided as well as how I got to be involved with STFC. Participants then created a variety of space/art work such as 3D collages, paper plate planets and pop-up space books based on what topic inspired them during the presentation. Participants were given STFC Solar System posters to continue studying facts and a visual resource that will reinforce knowledge gained. Participants were given STFC Sun booklets to explore the various topics involved with the Sun. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/astrocymru/status/1689299386222739456 |