ASDC celebrates Space Week 2024 with UK’s network of 25 science centres delivering ‘Our World From Space’, a two-year national STEM programme exploring the relevance of UK space science for the future health and sustainability of our home planet
World Space Week is coordinated by the United Nations with the support of the World Space Week Association (WSWA) celebrated globally from 4-10th October. This year’s theme is ‘Space and Climate Change’ celebrating the transformative impact of space technology in our ongoing battle against climate change, emphasising the proactive role space exploration plays in enhancing our understanding and management of Earth’s climate.
Initially running in 22 science centres and museums, our World From Space programme has been extended with three additional delivery partners making ‘Our World From Space’ the biggest national science engagement programme ASDC has created and produced to date.
Early evaluation reports have shown that the science communicators working with the public have reported how they are now more confident in talking about climate-related topics through this programme, and that young people said they felt more empowered in relation to protecting the planet as a result of their visit.
“We’re incredibly proud to be working with 25 science centres and museums running this exciting programme with a real emphasis on involving young people and families with the relevance of UK space science and its far-reaching impacts - not only for our lives today - but for the sustainable future of our home planet."
Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive, ASDC
Photos of delivery at (left to right) Glasgow Science Centre, Think Tank and Science Skills Academy
Since the programme began in April 2023, Our World From Space has achieved remarkable success, so far reaching over 200,000 individual participants around the UK. With consistently high levels of audience engagement and enthusiasm across a broad range of activities, the hands-on sessions and diverse space-related topics are certainly sparking children’s curiosity. Teams running the programmes have reported that many of the groups are keen to discuss topics such as satellite science and animal migration in more depth, with staff reporting workshop sessions regularly run over due to the enthusiasm for questions and discussions. Creative approaches, such as the penguin poo game, have successfully connected complex space themes with everyday life even in more traditional museum settings.
The programme has also broadened its reach, bringing space science to rural communities with a series of workshops taking place on the Isle of Lewis, as well as enabling schools to visit science centres for the first time.
Bringing on three new organisations at this point in the programme means we can spread the reach of the programme even further, now including audiences in Merseyside, Cheshire, Argyll and the inner and outer Hebrides in Scotland.
We are delighted to announce that the three new delivery partners joining the programme are:
- Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement
- Ocean Explorer Centre (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
- Science Made Simple
“The programme is helping to raise awareness of the UK's space industry and diverse career opportunities, as well as a noticeable rise in young people’s confidence to discuss and take action on climate issues.”
Cait Campbell, ASDC Project Manager
Our World From Space is funded by UK Space Agency in partnership with Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation.