Backed by UK Space Agency, Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) joined forces with other science centres across the UK to take part in 'Destination Space: Join the Crew' programme.
This is to be an exciting hands-on season of astronauts and adventure for families, community groups and schools. Destination Space celebrates the European Space Agency’s first British astronaut, Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the International Space Station. This programme of shows, workshops and hands on-activities has been a great success and will continue over the coming months.
Continuing on the Space theme, ASC Board Member Colin Black recently spent a day with NASA at Johnson Space Centre in Houston and this has resulted in ASCs collaboration with NASA on numerous education projects. During his visit he met an astronaut and many members of the NASA team with a pass that gave him access to areas of NASA operations.
At the recent Association of Science Education event held at Robert Gordon College, ASC launched their first NASA collaborative project, NASA “21st Century Explorer”, an education programme which uses online resources to introduce science, technology, engineering, mathematics and NASA space exploration concepts. The online resources, consisting of texts, animations and videos, include a series of pupil-led investigations designed to be carried out in the classroom (primary 4-7), with introductory information provided by an expert in the specific subject area. Teacher support materials and pupil investigation guide booklets are also available as part of the ASC schools engagement programme.
ASC and NASA will help pupils find the answers to questions such as “why do astronauts eat tortillas instead of bread?”, “how would your body change in space?” and “why return to the moon before going to Mars?”
Liz Hodge, CEO of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are delighted to work with NASA and be part of this world-wide project. Aberdeen Science Centre is always eager to take part in programmes that harness the inspirational power of space exploration.”
Laurie Abadie of NASA human research program commented: “Congratulations on a very successful Association of Science event, we are proud to have NASA 21st Century Explorer included in the activities at the event as part of our collaboration with Aberdeen Science Centre”. Ms Abadie was previously International Space Station (ISS) Flight Controller for the Automated Vehicles and Orbit Analysis group.
Mr Black added: “In my role as director of Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Ltd, we already work with ASC on energy4me teacher CPD workshops, the promotion of this programme is a first step towards a greater collaboration between Aberdeen Science Centre and NASA which SPE will support as appropriate. Other collaborative projects will be announced as they are finalised”.