PPARC Research Articles

Using space science and technology as an educational tool: Two different approaches

Successful ways of using space science and technology as a vehicle for science education are explored. We report on activities centred on two educational forums — “extra-curricular”, in the form of special lectures delivered to over 150 pupils from different schools in one session, and “curricular” activities where the scientist entered a school for several days to become an integral part of the pupils' class. Space science and technology were applied to the school context within the framework of the UK's National Curriculum for ages 13–17. These activities were part of the Pupil Researcher Initiative, run by Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), and the ESSTeL lectures sponsored by PPARC's Public Understanding of Science and Technology initiative. We give an account of the preparation of both initiatives on the part of the teacher and give an insight into the practicalities of organising the events. We comment on the advantages of using space as an educational tool and its ability to motivate the target audience.