Comet Chasers

The overall aims of this project are to:
1. Develop a unique and engaging educational programme for primary schools which explores the observation and study of comets and other astronomical objects through a cross curricular approach that will be replicable and scalable.
2. Widen the audiences for Techniquest (TQ), Cardiff University (CU), Open University (OU) and STFC's by engaging schools in areas of high educational deprivation according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation.
3. Build science capital for over 1,600 primary school pupils with multiple engagements for schools that acts as an excellent gateway into STEM education and engagement opportunities, through the exciting science of astronomy.
Techniquest has an excellent 33-year record of delivering interactive STEM engagement to the public and schools in Wales and has developed hundreds of public engagements shows and projects in this time. To deliver this particular project Techniquest will work in partnership with CU's School of Physics and Astronomy and specifically, the Faulkes Telescope Project (FTP), a world-leading science education project that allows schools to remotely control telescopes across the world. Pupils can control the telescopes and obtain incredible images of asteroids, comets, stars and galaxies, and assist in gathering data that is then used globally by research scientists.
Science museums and discovery centres have been recognised as having a significant contribution to the scientific literacy of its visitors. Therefore, it is vital that we work with other STEM partners to reach disengaged audiences with new educational programmes. By utilising the work of the FTP as well as TQ and CU's experienced science communicators and programme development teams, we are confident that we can develop a programme to engage new audiences for TQ, CU and STFC.
By delivering training to teachers and through multiple engagements with each school, we hope to embed a long-term enthusiasm for astronomy that can continue to be championed in these schools and continue to develop the following skills for pupils:
- Coding
- Maths
- Graphing
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Communication
- Tabulation
- Experimental technique
- Numeracy
- Literacy
- Art
- Geography
This new programme will serve as a fun, engaging and interactive introduction to astronomy and will deliver a unique learning experience for participating pupils. We believe that this project will encourage young people to continue to build their science capital by engaging with extra-curricular astronomy and related STEM activities. The work undertaken by the pupils will mirror that performed by amateur and professional astronomers and is a valid and useful contribution to the study of comets. Studying comets can help scientists answer many fundamental questions about how the solar system was formed, how it developed (and is developing), how the ingredients for life were delivered to Earth and maybe other planets, as well as contributing to the defence of Earth by monitoring potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about this from each project partner, who will help connect them to organisations such as the Society for Popular Astronomy (which has a junior section), the British Astronomical Association and local Astronomical Societies if they wish to take things further.
The UK is leading on the European Space Agency's next Comet Mission (Comet Interceptor), which builds on the highly successful Rosetta Mission. This project will link with those developing the Mission to inspire children who could be the scientists analysing the data from the mission in 10 years' time.
This project will continue to have a significant impact after the initial deliveries with the show continuing to be a part of a new educational programme which coincides with the new National Curriculum for Wales for many years to come.

As part of TQ's ongoing commitment to unique and engaging STEM engagement, the 'Comet Chasers,' project will be targeting areas and schools in areas with the highest levels of deprivation according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). Schools in these areas typically struggle to engage with our science centre and contain a high proportion of individuals and families with low science capital. Education in Wales is currently undergoing major reforms (the new "Curriculum for Wales"), with a more thematic and skills-based approach to teaching being introduced, so this project would be uniquely placed to develop new materials and approaches in line with these changes.

A best practice model will be disseminated through science centre networks that Techniquest is a part of, such as ASDC (Association for Science and Discovery Centres), and ECSITE (The European Network of Science Centres and Museums). This will also include the planetarium show itself and we are prepared to assist other science centres in adapting the show for their planetaria. We will also be able to provide feedback on what we have learnt from our process of development and delivery.

The final online and written resources that we create will be uploaded to the TQ, FTP, RAS and ESERO-UK websites for schools to access more widely.

Dr. Roche through his various outreach roles (including ESERO-UK Space Ambassador for Wales) will help to disseminate information on the project. On completion of the project, a final report will be produced for STFC. The report will also be disseminated to the wider STEM and education sector including: the Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES), and the Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Peter Halligan, funders and any other interested organisations who might benefit from our work. It is anticipated that outputs from the evaluation studies may be publishable at a later date, further disseminating best practise.

After the project has been delivered, the programme will be promoted to schools as part of TQ and CU's ongoing school engagement programmes, tying into the upcoming Curriculum for Wales, which launches in 2022. In future, schools will have the option of paying for the workshops but TQ will look to subsidise costs for more disadvantaged schools through a sponsored outreach programme wherever possible.