Today we're launching a mini highlights showreel to celebrate Earth Day 2024! Watch to find out about Our World From Space and some of the events and activities happening at science centres and museums and around the UK.
Introduced by ASDC Project Manager Cait Campbell, with insights from Ingmar Kamalagharan Space to Inspire Lead, UK Space Agency and project highlights from Charlie Isham, Head of Education and Space Communications, National Space Centre, Emma Walton, Science Communicator, W5, Caitlin Ray MacInnes, STEM Development Lead, Dundee Science Centre, Dr Natalie Whitehead, Founder & Director, Exeter Science Centre and Ben Rutherford-Orrock, Contemporary Science Manager, International Centre for Life.
Our World From Space is a national STEM programme run by ASDC, aimed at illuminating the pivotal role of UK space science in safeguarding the future health and sustainability of our planet.
Spearheaded by the UK Space Agency in collaboration with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), a division of UK Research and Innovation, this two-year space science programme builds upon the success of previous ASDC programmes; Destination Space and Operation Earth. By harnessing existing knowledge and connections, Our World From Space aims to captivate, educate, and motivate audiences through the lens of UK Earth observation science, innovation, and expertise.
From addressing global challenges to delving into hyper-local case studies, Our World From Space leverages inspiration and relevance to deepen audience understanding and engagement, nurturing the next generation of innovators and stewards of our planet.
So far over 92,000 participants have engaged with Our World From Space across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (from July 2023 until March 2024). These include families, community groups, school children, carers, teachers and more. The types of engagements include drop-in sessions, planetarium shows, science shows, careers fairs, Q&As, and local community events.
Staff & audience reflections:
"The specific focus on Satellites, Earth Observation has injected new content areas of focus into our work and this refresh has provided new topical science talking points with audiences.”
“The embedding of the Our World From Space into our repeat engagement model with schools in areas of socio-economic deprivation has enabled us to emphasise the key points of the project over time.”
“Audience members have more of an understanding of the number of satellites out there …the activities used really leant themselves to making these connections."
“These sessions have allowed us to provide a bespoke learning experience for young people in the care system for the first time."
"A lot of people didn't know how much the UK were doing in space so it opened a lot of eyes.”
“Many of the activities have generated an emotional connection with our audiences. For example, the penguin poo activity struck relevance with children on how we can use satellite data to inform us about the impacts of climate change on a population of animals. Whilst this is not strictly relevant to their own lives, it does deepen the children's connection with Space and help them to recognise the value and relevance of Space for Planet Earth.”
