Scottish pupils to learn from the world's top space explorers
Around 100 astronauts and cosmonauts will spend this week in Scotland when Careers Scotland hosts the Association of Space Explorers Annual Planetary Congress.
The 20th Annual Planetary Congress will take place in Edinburgh from 17-21 September - the first time the international event has been held in Britain.
Hosted by Careers Scotland, the congress will bring together astronauts and cosmonauts (fliers) from around the world and it is hoped the visit will help promote careers in science and technology to Scottish pupils.
A key element of the week-long visit will be a Community Day, when teams of fliers will visit schools in every local authority area in Scotland. The fliers will speak to pupils about their experiences in space and help generate enthusiasm about science and technology and the career opportunities available in the field.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather will welcome the fliers to Scotland at a reception at Edinburgh Castle on Monday 17 September. He will be joined by Alexei Leonov, the first man to walk in space and co-president of the ASE.
Danny Logue, Acting Director at Careers Scotland, said:
"We are delighted to welcome the Association of Space Explorers to Scotland and hope their visit will be a worthwhile experience both for the fliers themselves and for the Scottish school pupils, students and academics who will have the chance to meet them.
"Science and technology are key to the success of Scotland’s economy and it is vital that we encourage Scottish youngsters to consider careers in these areas.
"Space science is a fascinating subject and we hope that meeting the fliers and hearing about their experiences first-hand will show pupils that science is a huge field with countless different career opportunities."
The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an international organisation made up of 300 members from 30 different countries – all of who have flown in space at least once. The group brings members together for debate and dialogue, promotes education in science and engineering and encourages international cooperation in the exploration of space.
Fifty years since Sputnik (the first artificial satellite to be put into space), the theme of the Edinburgh congress will be "Fifty years in space – launching into the future".
During their stay in Scotland, the fliers will attend technical sessions on key issues such as the future plans of international space agencies. They will also spend a day at the University of Strathclyde and the University of Edinburgh, where they will share their knowledge and experience with academics, students and senior secondary school pupils.
The day at Strathclyde will include two seminars - a public lecture led by the astronauts and cosmonauts, and a 'Question of Space' seminar for businesses, students and 200 high school pupils. Topics covered will include 'thinking' robots, life on other planets and disease and infection control in space.
John Fabian, co-president of the ASE, said:
"This will be the first time we have come to Britain for our annual congress and we are looking forward to visiting Edinburgh.
"One of our aims is to promote the study of science and we hope that meeting some of our members will inspire young people in Scotland to consider science and technology for study and as a career."
The congress is being hosted by Careers Scotland, in association with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The event is also supported by the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Convention Bureau, City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh and Strathclyde universities.
Careers Scotland runs several programmes to encourage students to study science and to consider careers in science and technology. The popular Space School programme is a partnership initiative with NASA and involves a number of activities for Scottish school pupils, including on-line space workshops, visits from astronauts and Space Camps in Houston and at universities in Scotland.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather believes the ASE event will be an inspiration to Scottish youngsters. He said:
"It is wonderful to have such luminaries of space exploration here in Scotland and I am pleased that they will be involved in a number of community and school events while they are here, for I know that their presence will inspire Scots of all ages to consider careers in science and technology.
"Scotland is a forward-looking nation, with science and innovation at its heart, and the presence of so many highly regarded astronauts and cosmonauts will help consolidate that view at home and abroad."
During their week-long visit, several fliers will also take part in a public lecture at the Sheraton Hotel entitled Changing Landscapes: Changing Planets (Wednesday September 19). Part of the Edinburgh Lectures series, the lecture will outline the effects of natural and human activity on the Earth’s environment.
As part of the annual ASE congress, an individual from the host nation is recognised for their achievements in space science and awarded the prestigious Crystal Helmet Award. The British winner will be announced at the closing ceremony on Friday night (September 21).
17/09/07
