in the Celestial Sphere

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  • Rory Graham
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  • Marcus Leuw
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  • Neatherd High School
  • Geraldine Hogan - Coronado
• Partners
  • Dereham Sixth Form College
  • Cambridge University
  • South African Astronomical Observatory
  • University of the Western Cape
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• Funding

UK and SA Science Ambassadors work with grade 9 learners from Sutherland High School

Aims of the project:

Form an international partnership of organisations to help science educators develop approaches that will inspire scientific interest and ambition in young people.

To enable a group of 12th grade UK students to become ambassadors for science in South Africa the UK and the wider international space education community via the internet, by giving them exposure to cutting edge international science and technology in collaboration with students from a different cultural background.

Provide support and resources to enable eight South African Schools to start up astronomy clubs.

Highlight the importance of international science to development.

Share the project with the international space educator community via the NASA After School Astronomy Clubs (NASA ASAC) website and forum

The kit given to SA schools (click to enlarge)

Objectives:

Ten UK students will visit the South African Sutherland Observatory and use instruments (including one of the largest and most advanced telescopes in the World) with an international team of scientists

Students will act as 'Science Ambassadors' and carry out space science training courses with students and teachers from South African high schools. They will provide them with a range of activities and resources to enable them to set up of astronomy clubs in their schools.

Back in the UK the 'Science Ambassadors' will visit schools and use their experiences to educate and enthuse pupils about international science and technology. They will publish the resources developed for teaching and learning space science on the NASA ASAC website

In partnership with South African teachers, the UK teachers will develop approaches to carrying out practical space science learning activities using basic equipment.

Develop closer links between South African Higher Education (University of the Western Cape ) and Cambridge University

Create ties between current member clubs of the NASA ASAC and new members from South African schools

Explore opportunities for South African students to visit UK, Dereham schools and the University of Cambridge