UK Space Agency gives Scout Astronautics Badge a 'rocket boost'
In celebration of the UK Space Agency now sponsoring the Astronautics Badge, British ESA astronaut and former Scout Tim Peake awarded the badges during a special ceremony on the opening day of the conference.
“I’m delighted that the UK Space Agency is supporting the Scouts Astronautics Badge,” said Peake. “As a former Scout myself, I have first-hand experience of how exciting and engaging activities can enthuse the future generation about STEM subjects and provide them with some of the practical and problem solving skills they will need as they develop their careers.”
Working with The Scout Association, the UK Space Agency has created some inspiring new resources to accompany the badge and introduce scouts to the exciting and growing world of space engineering and science. The resources include activities on rocket building, astronaut training, the science behind space, space craft modelling, and information about space missions and their amazing discoveries.
At the badge awarding ceremony, Troy Wood from the 2nd Timperley Scouts Group said: "I designed my own moon colony where people can live and work on the moon so I had to think about things like water production, creating oxygen and protection from cosmic radiation; that was great fun.”
The space sector is predicted to grow rapidly over the next decade as satellite technology, space exploration and other practical benefits of space are realised and developed. This growth will create a whole range of interesting careers for young people. The practical and problem-solving skills developed through scouting, along with the enthusiasm for science shown by Scout Leaders, could be instrumental in encouraging this future generation of space scientists and engineers.
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said: “It’s vital we encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers, and the Scouts have an important role to play alongside the UK Space Agency. There are few things more inspiring than space, especially when we have the first UK astronaut heading to space in more than 20 years, who is himself a former Scout.”
Jeremy Curtis, head of education and outreach at the UK Space Agency, added: “The £9.1 billion space sector is growing rapidly and creating new opportunities for graduates. It’s important that we engage young people both inside and outside of the classroom if we want to continue this growth. Institutions like the Scouts can play a key role in sculpting and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and even astronauts.”
The Government created the UK Space Agency in 2010. One of the Agency’s aims is to inspire our next generation of UK scientists and engineers by motivating young people to study STEM and space. The UK Space Agency has a page of educational resources on its website, including a link to ESERO - the space education office, which offers a database of free downloadable activities on space.
