Victorian Space Science Education Centre: Communicating Space to the Community
- Paper number
IAC-06-E5.3.03
- Author
Ms. Naomi Mathers, Victorian Space Science Education Centre, Australia
- Coauthor
Mr. Michael Pakakis, Australia
- Coauthor
Ms. Anne Brumfitt, Space Qualified Ltd, Australia
- Coauthor
Prof. Lachlan Thompson, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australia
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) is a AU$6.4 million facility in Melbourne, Australia established to stimulate student’s enthusiasm for maths, science, and technology using space as the stimulus. Research has shown that all students, regardless of age, learning style, gender or IQ, learn best with teaching strategies that employ colour, humour, music, movement, visualization and hands-on activities. VSSEC uses scenario-based programs, including a Mission to Mars and a Mission to the Space Station, to engage students with a wide range of interests and learning styles.
VSSEC’s programs are available to primary and secondary school students and its outreach programs engage community groups such as scouts and guides as well as the general public. Students with diverse interests and talents are encouraged to explore the applications of space science and the relevance to their lives. This includes examining the interconnectedness of science, mathematics, history, economics, politics, psychology and artistic expression.
The foundations of an integrated approach to learning were established with the design of the building and permeate through the entire curricula. The design of the building was placed in the hands of award winning architects, who used a spiral galaxy as their inspiration for an innovative purpose built facility that supports excellence in science and creativity.
Examination of art and literature can act as a stimulus for scientific investigation. As students enter the centre they are welcomed by an aboriginal dot painting of the Pleiades. Most of the stars in the heavens have mythological stories associated with their origins. Aborigines believe that the stars and planets were once people and animals in the Creation Time. This is a painting of the story of the seven sisters, which were the mythological sisters of the Tjukurrpa. The seven sisters are being pursued by a Jakamarra man, the morning star in Orion’s belt. In a final attempt to escape Jakamarra, the women turn into fire at Kurlunyalimpa and ascend to the heavens to become stars. Today they can still be seen wandering the skies as the seven stars in the constellation Taurus (Pleiades).
This paper will explore how VSSEC has integrated all disciplines within the curricula into its programs to stimulate student’s enthusiasm for maths, science and technology whilst demonstrating that space is not the exclusive domain of scientists and engineers.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E5.3.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.