Scouts and Guides Forefront users of 21st Century Space Technology
- Paper number
IAC-06-E1.4.09
- Author
Ms. Anne Brumfitt, Space Qualified Ltd, Australia
- Coauthor
Prof. Lachlan Thompson, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australia
- Year
2006
- Abstract
40 million young people use communication space technology! Scouts and Guides worldwide are forefront users of 21st Century technology in particular space science spin-off technologies. The scout association has been innovative in adopting Space as a new challenge for scouting in this century. These new developments build on the experience and feedback of the dedicated Space Camp “Deep Space 1999” for 650 Scouts and Guides and the space exploration badge in scouting. Always ready to grasp innovation and new opportunities, world scouting and guiding have been significant actors at all levels of local, community, national, international and global levels. World scouting and guiding are as strong and dynamic as ever in the 7 to 26 year age band and are soon to celebrate their first centenary in 2007 and 2008 respectively. 2006 sees the first Guide ‘World Thinking Day of the Air’ when all members of the movement from the youngest to the oldest will talk to each other via satellite, internet and amateur radio. International Jamboree on the Air (IJOTA) is in its 48th year. Scouts and guides have been using amateur radio and airwaves to ‘get together’ across oceans and continents since 1958. Modern communication and space technology offers even more possibilities, many now using video-conferencing, satellite and computer linked communication links. The Scouting movement has always been ready to adopt space technology to benefit its youth. This includes advanced materials for climbing and abseiling, Global positioning for navigation, long gone is the scout with a compass. High technology phase change materials for hike clothing and body thermal regulation normally found in space suit liners is another innovation used in Scouts and Guides. In 2007, the Scouting movement will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the launch of Sputnik with the 1st International Space Camp for Scouts and Guides near Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station in Australia. The event, supported by WOSM, will host contingents from Europe and America. The camp is receiving significant support from the scientists at ESA ESTEC. Space technologies truly allow young people to reach out to one another across the remotest and most difficult and impoverished of regions around the Globe. Scouting education outreach has ensured that the benefit of space technology is realized on a global basis. The paper presents the innovation and strategies employed in the delivery of space education and outreach to a non traditional target group for space education.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E1.4.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.