Resources for teachers and advisors
The UK Space Agency aims to develop and implement programmes to support education (especially STEM) using space as an inspiring context for learning across all age groups. Specifically, support for non-specialist primary teachers in the use of space in teaching and improving the quality and availability of teaching materials using space across the curriculum for primary and secondary schools and colleges are two key areas of development. The links below connect to some of the Agency’s primary education partners.
The UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) 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. They offer information regarding events, regional Space Ambassadors and a link to an extensive eLibrary of space teaching resources including lesson plans, experiments, video clips and much more.
The National STEM Centre in York works with schools, colleges and partner organisations to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. It offers extensive teacher resources including an extensive e-Library containing publications, case studies, study plans, activity sheets, experiments and videos and much more.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Network (STEMNET) can help teachers inspire students in STEM subjects by helping to identify and access Enhancement & Enrichment activities which can benefit the school curriculum; providing STEM Ambassadors (a free resource of volunteers) who can inspire and educate young learners about STEM in many ways; providing links with local businesses and supporting STEM Clubs. The STEMNET website also access to teaching resources such as brochures, case studies and images.
The National Space Academy is a network of outstanding teachers and space scientists that use the inspirational context of space to teach chemistry, biology, mathematics, geography and applied science and geography to GCSE, A-level and BTEC students and their teachers. The academy offers a programme of student masterclasses, teacher CPD and careers events. The academy is led by the National Space Centre on behalf of the UK Space Agency, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and ESERO-UK.
See the careers pages for advice about working in the space sector.
The ESA Teacher Summer Workshop 2013
Applications for the 4th ESA Teacher Summer Workshop are now open. The workshop is for science teachers of students between 14 and 18 years of age and aims to boost STEM education in classrooms across Europe by introducing innovative and inspiring ways to use space for education. The workshop will be held at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk , The Netherlands , from 20 to 23 August 2013. For more information visit the ESA website.
The 2012 workshop involved 40 school teachers taking part in hand-on workshops covering topics including Earth observation, human spaceflight, testing the effects of microgravity on plant life and tracking clouds in the Venusian atmosphere. The topics presented and associated materials were suitable for classes ranging from upper primary up to first-year university.
Teachers wishing to participate should complete the online application form. The deadline to apply is 21 May 2013.
The James Webb Space Telescope – Space as a Context for Teaching Science
The National Science and Learning Centre is offering a 3-day course (code NAC12159) on using space as a context for teaching science. This will be around the theme of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is due to be launched in 2018 and the biggest space astronomy project for a generation. The course will be held on 9 - 11 June 2013 and 7 Oct 2013 at The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the National Science Learning Centre in York respectively. During the course teachers will have special opportunities to see the facilities at the observatory and meet scientists and engineers working on MIRI.
In addition, practical workshops will be led by experts from the National Space Centre and Gregor Steele from SSERC who will provide practical techniques and ideas for teaching aspects of both the physics and chemistry curriculum which relate to the science behind the space telescope.
The course will also cover other space telescopes - Gaia and Euclid.
The course is suitable for secondary teachers, post-16 lecturers and further education lecturers. The cost is £996 + VAT (covers tuition in Edinburgh and York, and includes accommodation, meals and travel to the Royal Observatory whilst in Edinburgh). Book your place now at www.slcs.ac.uk/go/nat/dnac12159.
Teachers, teaching assistants and technicians from state funded schools, academies or colleges may be eligible to receive an ENTHUSE award of £1,676 which will be paid on completion of the course directly to their institution. For more information about the ENTHUSE Award please visit www.slcs.ac.uk/enthuseaward.
Download the flyer for more information. (PDF, 135 Kb)
The deadline to reply is 8 June 2013.
