Careers Scotland Space School

The Careers Scotland Space School, also known as the Scottish Space School, is an organisation set up by Careers Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government. This is a government programme, organised as a partnership initiative with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), to encourage young people to gain an interest in "STEM" subjects, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. [http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/Initiatives/Spaceschool/SpaceSchool.asp "Space School"] , Careers Scotland]

The Initiatives

The programme provides support teaching materials and includes provision for 120 pupils to attend a summer school, which focuses on electronics and life sciences, at the University of Strathclyde. There is also a series of visits to schools by NASA astronauts and scientists. For example, in June 2007 staff from NASA attended an exhibition in Nairn. [ [http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149235&command=displayContent&sourceNode=149218&contentPK=17602405&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch "Top Astronauts Make Landing In Nairn"] , The Press and Journal, 19 June 2007] In 2007 it is using a staged competition-like structure, with the top prize (for 52 students) a 12-day trip to Johnson Space Center, in Houston, Texas.

Endorsing the Programme

In March 2007, Nick Patrick, to show his support for the Space School, [ [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-06/pa06-065.htm "Astronaut flies the flag for Scotland"] , The Scottish Parliament, 6 September 2006] [ [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-06/pa06-093.htm "Scottish Parliament Saltire prepares for space mission"] , The Scottish Parliament, 5 December 2006] returned to Edinburgh, carrying a saltire flag that had been with him on his first NASA space mission, with a student who was participating in the Space School. [ [http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=439212007 "One small step for Scotland"] , The Scotsman, 21 March 2007]

"The Scotsman" described the initiative as "a world-leading programme". [ [http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1110672007 "Lossiemouth's chance to rival Cape Canaveral"] , Alastair Jamieson, The Scotsman, 17 July 2007] Alex Blackwood, the programme founder, won the 2006 "Achievement in Education" Sir Arthur Clarke Award. [ [http://www.clarkeawards.org/2006awards/2006winners/2006winners.html "2006 Winners"] , The Sir Arthur Clarke Awards] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4833912.stm "Space School founder up for award"] , BBC News, 24 March 2006] . A regular invited presenter at the school is the Cyborg scientist Kevin Warwick.

References