Encouraging an interest in STEM skills and introducing young people to exciting careers within the space sector are the aims of a special event, taking place on 30 May at Machrihanish Business Park.
51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute Council is hosting STARS24 with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Scotland and Discover Space UK (DSUK) to encourage more young people to get interested in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. The Space, Thrust, Aerospace and Rocketry STEM event (STARS) includes guest speakers, interactive workshops and rocket launches.
The space sector is one of the fastest emerging growth industries in Scotland and leading space companies and experts will attend the event to give an insight into potential careers. STARS24 brings together 230 young people from eleven schools.
Pupils can explore STEM activities throughout the day in a series of workshops. The day ends with young people launching their own rockets.
Special guests include Dr Suzie Imber, a leading space physicist and winner of the BBC Astronauts programme along with Dallas Campbell, TV presenter, writer and STEM Ambassador. Together they’ll lead a workshop on five objects from space. The objects include a replica of Neil Armstrong’s space suit.
Additional workshops include:
- Design a rocket
- Chemical Reactions
- Parachutes
- Space Junk and Satellites
- Astro Biology
- Virtual Reality Space Walk
- Fitness for Space travel
Participating schools have taken part in a competition to design a mission patch with the winners announced on the day of the event. Their designs will then go on the rockets and launched at the end of the day, reaching a height of one mile before parachuting back down to the base.
Councillor Audrey Forrest, Policy Lead for Education:
“We are committed to delivering innovative STEM activities across our schools and introducing exciting opportunities for our young people.
STARS24 is a fantastic example of working with partners to highlight the wide range of career possibilities using STEM skills. The day will provide practical insight into the space industry and we hope to inspire more young people to pursue STEM careers. Thank you to all our partners for providing this great opportunity. We look forward to developing the next generation of leading experts.â€
Businesses attending the event include:
- Orbex – Europe’s leading orbital launch services company
- Lockheed Martin Space
- Glasgow University
- SAMS Enterprise
- ALIenergy
- SSERC
- SSE