We are young space professionals in industry and academia, drawn mainly from UK alumni of the International Space University.
We aim to use "space" to motivate students across the ability range to maths / science / technology studies by exploring the way that these subjects help us to understand and utilise space. Speakers aim to demonstrate the usefulness and relevance of maths / science / technology to a wide range of careers and employers. The lectures are aimed not only at future university students, nor the small minority who will end up pursuing a career with space companies or agencies but all GCSE and A-level students. We believe that space is a powerful educational tool that can pursuade students to see the maths / science / technology subjects in a new light.
We deliver a 45 minute - 1 hour lecture suitable for 13-17 year olds. Each lecture is presented by two speakers who will be happy to take questions after the talk. Speakers give a broad overview of space science, particularly emphasising the role that Britain has played over the years. Each lecture highlights topical space science issues, and recent events and / or discoveries, therefore ensuring that the information delivered has a particular relevance.
The lectures are particularly useful for showing students the relevance and application that space science has on everyday life - hopefully encouraging students to consider science and maths based GCSE and A-level studies.
Speakers will be happy to spend an hour or two more after the lecture talking to smaller groups of students, who may be more inclined to ask questions in small groups. In the past these sessions have been used to discuss not only the lecture topics, but a lso University life, careers available to students and much more.
Lectures are delivered to audiences of 120+ students. We have found that this number is more readily attained by joining together three or more schools at one venue. We ask that you find a suitable venue (perhaps a school hall) supplied with OHP and slide carousel. The time and date of the lectures can be arranged with the speakers themselves. The names and contact addresses of your speakers will be supplied when interest in this service is shown.
ESSTeL speakers give their service on a voluntary basis and the ESSTeL lectures are free.
ESSTeL is a recipient of a grant from the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council under their "Public Understanding of Science and Technology" scheme.