Education and Outreach Activities

The EOS group understands the importance of education and outreach. Members of the group are involved in numberous outreach events, both formally through Space Academy, and informally through activities carried out by individuals (including workshops, school and public talks, and careers events). An overview of EOS group outreach activities is provided below.

Space Academy

Space Academy logo Launched October 2008 by the then UK minister for Science and Innovation Ian Pearson, the Space Academy is a partnership between the National Space Centre, the University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, Science Learning Centre East Midlands, STEMNET and emda (East Midlands Development Agency). It has its own project scientists at both Universities, dedicated full-time staff and outstanding teachers seconded to the patrnership.

The Space Academy offers curriculum focused programmes in science, technology, engineering, geography and environmental science for students from Key Stages 3 to 5. Space Academy also offers teacher conferences, INSET sessions and careers events. A leaflet can be downloaded here

Masterclasses:

SA Photos

Physics/Space Science - "Away day to mars" (KS 3, 4 and 5)
Chemistry - "Earth Through Alien Eyes" (KS 5)
Biology - "The Blue Oasis" (KS 5)
Applied Science - "Goodbye Planet Earth" (KS 4)
Geography - "Glocalisation" (KS 4/5)

For more information about Space Academy and the individual masterclasses please visit the Space Academy website

To book a masterclass please contact Dr Sarah Hill

A paper describing how EO is incorporated into Space Academy can be downloaded here

General EOS outreach

I addition to the Space Academy masterclasses, talks, workshops and demonstrations have been developed by members of the EOS group on topics such as:

Earth Observations
Climate Change
Meteorology
Remote sensing
Spectroscopy - atmospheric gases
GIS

Resources, information, case studies, activities, exercises and demos can be found here

Secondary school workshops (KS 3/4/5)

The electromagnetic spectrum, remote sensing, earth observations and applications - talks and demonstrations (can be geared to any level or any subject)
Remote Sensing - introduction and the use of open-source remote sensing software to anaylse multispectral and hyperspectral imagery (KS 5 - suitable for geography, environmental science, physics, chemistry, biology). An introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum, spectroscopy, remote sensing and applications, and/or an opportunity to examine satellite imagery using free software.
GIS - introduction and decision-making exercise using open-source software (KS 5 - suitable for geography and environmental science)

Primary school workshops (KS 1/2)

"The Blue Marble: Observing Planet Earth from Space"- Funded by the UK Space Agency

Please visit the Blue Marble website for more information.

Narrative: The idea is top introduce the learners to weather and climate, and how scientists conduct research: We 'Observe' the Earth, to examine weather and climate change for example, we carry out experiments in the 'Laboratory' to test our observations, and we create 'models' using the findings of our experiments.

Activities (altered depending on key stage):

a) Science activities ("Observations")

Rainbows and light - examining rainbows and the properties of light (prisms; diffraction grating glasses)
Imaging - pinhole cameras
How we use satellites to observe 'light' and what we use it for.

b) Science experiments ("Laboratory/Experimenting")

"Weather and climate in a bottle" - examining weather phenomenon (Twister in a bottle; Cloud in a bottle; Whirling orb in a bottle)
"Using invisible light" - UV; near infra re & vegetation; thermal & sea surface temperature; clouds

c) Drama workshop ("Modelling")