Educational Outreach: Human spaceflight in the classroom.
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.3.7
- Author
Ms. Shamim Hartevelt, The European Space Agency, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Keith Norfolk, European Space Agency (ESA), Netherlands Antilles
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Under the Directorate of Human Spaceflight of the European Space Agency and the European Astronaut Centre, the education team has developed and distributed a wide range of educational materials for use in schools. This paper aims to explain the methodology used in developing educational materials by the educational team which are both valuable to educators/teachers and at the same time produced at minimum cost. This thematic approach where human spaceflight is used in the pedagogical cycle is, by its very nature, exciting and inspiring for students in the classroom. Many countries are experiencing a fall in the uptake by students of subjects, such as science and engineering. If the space industry is to have access to qualified scientists and engineers in the future, it is essential to promote these subjects and to encourage students to consider careers in this field. In particular this needs to start at a young age where science needs to become a subject that is seen as relevant to everyday life and which holds the interest of the children. The aim of educational materials produced by the educational team is not to replace what the teacher is already doing in science, but to help enhance areas of the curricula where it is relevant with human space flight. For promotion of space science and technology from school level it is very important to have educational resources that are more manageable, adaptable and teacher friendly. The paper also identifies some of the major pitfalls in educational outreach work. In particular, it addresses the importance of understanding school curricula, involving teachers at an early stage of development and avoiding social and gender stereotypes.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.3.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.