Technical programme
IAC-26 — 77th International Astronautical Congress
E1. IAF SPACE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SYMPOSIUM
This symposium organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Space Education and Outreach Committee (SEOC) explore best practices and innovative approaches to space education and outreach at all levels. Through its sessions, the symposium highlights activities, methods and techniques for education, outreach to the general public and workforce development. The symposium keynotes, including the presentation by the winner of the IAF Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal, highlight some of the best education and outreach programs from around the world. When submitting abstracts for this symposium, please note that: • Abstracts should present a coherent story or idea and follow a logical sequence. • The work should be the original work of the authors. • It should share information that is innovative and new or put a new spin on an old subject. The novelty can be in idea, methodology and approach, or in results and recommendations. • Papers should have clear education or outreach content. They should also be in the scope of the session they are submitted to. • Authors are encouraged to clearly identify target groups, benefits, lessons-learned, recommendations and include measures of critical assessment. • Abstracts providing technical details of projects, even if carried out in an educational context, will not usually be accepted. Preference is given to papers which present the pedagogical theories behind the work presented. • Papers reporting on programmes/activities that have already taken place and evaluated will be given preference over papers dealing with concepts and plans for the future. • Papers covering topics/activities which have been reported at a prior IAC must state this explicitly and detail both the additional information to be presented and the added value that this represents.
- Coordinator
Remco Timmermans
International Space University (ISU) — Luxembourg
E1.1. (To be updated) Lift Off: Primary and Secondary Education
This session focuses on space education and outreach initiatives designed for primary and secondary school learners (up to age 18), with an emphasis on early engagement, curiosity-driven learning, and the development of foundational STEAM skills. Contributions may address age-appropriate curricula, informal and formal education programmes, classroom activities, extracurricular initiatives, and outreach efforts that introduce space-related concepts and careers. Presentations should highlight how programmes are structured to inspire interest in space, support skill development, and foster long-term engagement in STEAM subjects. Authors are encouraged to discuss approaches to measuring educational impact, adapting content for different age groups, and applying lessons learned across diverse educational settings. This session also welcomes contributions focused on the professional development of primary and secondary school teachers, as well as pedagogical approaches, teaching resources, and educational methodologies that enhance space education at the pre-university level. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.2. (To be updated) Space for All: Promoting Inclusive Practices in Space Exploration
This session will highlight and provide examples of solutions via education, culture and outreach activities as well as Belonging, Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, Justice and Inclusivity (BADEJI, EDI, DEIA) protocols in the workplace, organisations and space agendas. Learnings and recommendations from the perspectives of professionals, scholars, experts, educators, artists and cultural institutions including museums, space agencies and non-profit organisations will be included. From code of ethics to pluralistic commitments towards achieving equity and accessibility, all relevant methodologies and formats are welcomed. This session is a showcase of demonstrated practices and/or experiential learning, and work presented should already have been implemented before the presentation. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.3. (To be updated) On Track: Undergraduate Space Education
This session focuses on space education initiatives designed for undergraduate learners, with an emphasis on building foundational knowledge, skills, and early professional identity in the space sector. Contributions may address the design and delivery of undergraduate-level courses, experiential and project-based learning, internships, work placements, and outreach activities that support student engagement and retention. Presentations should highlight how programmes are structured to introduce core concepts, develop transferable skills, and motivate students toward further study or entry into the space workforce. Authors are encouraged to discuss methods for evaluating educational impact, lessons learned from implementation, and how successful approaches have been adapted or scaled across undergraduate curricula. This session also welcomes contributions on the professional development of undergraduate educators and on pedagogical approaches, teaching tools, and assessment methods that are particularly effective at the undergraduate level. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.4. (To be updated) In Orbit: Postgraduate Space Education
This session addresses space education initiatives tailored to postgraduate learners, with a focus on advanced, specialised, and research-driven training aligned with professional and academic careers in the space domain. Contributions may include postgraduate course design, interdisciplinary or industry-linked projects, research training programmes, doctoral education, and advanced work placements. Presentations should emphasise how programmes support deep technical expertise, independent research capability, innovation, and leadership development. Authors are encouraged to discuss programme structure, impact assessment, and how insights gained are informing the evolution of postgraduate curricula, research training models, or industry engagement strategies. This session also invites contributions on the professional development of postgraduate educators and supervisors, as well as advanced educational methodologies relevant to postgraduate teaching, supervision, and mentoring. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.5. (To be updated) Enabling the Future: Developing the Space Workforce
This session focuses on strategies, programmes, and policies aimed at developing the current and future global space workforce, across industry, academia, government, and non-profit sectors. Contributions may address workforce challenges and opportunities, skills gaps, diversity and inclusion, career pathways, and emerging workforce needs driven by technological and market change. Presentations may include formal professional development, training, certification, and accreditation programmes, as well as internal workforce development initiatives led by companies, agencies, non-profits, or partnerships. Authors are encouraged to discuss programme design, implementation, and impact, including evidence of effectiveness, scalability, and lessons learned for workforce development across the space ecosystem. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.6. (To be updated) Calling Planet Earth: Large Engagement and Communications Initiatives
This session highlights large-scale, strategic public engagement and communications initiatives that connect the general public with space activities outside the formal education system. Contributions should focus on programmes, campaigns, or platforms with demonstrated or projected reach in the tens of thousands to millions, and which are designed to achieve clearly defined engagement objectives. Presentations should emphasise strategic planning, audience targeting, and measurable outcomes. Authors are expected to present objective assessments of impact, including quantitative and qualitative metrics, or to clearly describe robust evaluation frameworks where results are still forthcoming. Submissions should demonstrate intentional design, evidence-based decision-making, and clear alignment between goals, methods, and outcomes. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.7. (To be updated) Sending out a Signal: Innovative Outreach and Communications Initiatives
This session focuses on non-traditional, experimental, and innovative outreach and communications approaches that engage the public in space activities outside the formal education system. Contributions may explore novel storytelling formats, emerging technologies, creative dissemination strategies, or engagement with new or underrepresented audiences. Presentations should highlight what makes the initiative innovative, how audiences were reached or attracted (e.g. promotion, partnerships, platforms), and what outcomes were achieved or are expected. Authors should present evaluation results where available, or clearly articulate anticipated impacts and assessment methods for ongoing or planned initiatives. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.8. (To be updated) Show Us Space: Demonstration of Hands On Education and Outreach
This session showcases hands-on, interactive education and outreach activities that teach and reinforce space-related and STEAM concepts through direct participant engagement. Contributions should demonstrate how tactile, experiential learning approaches support understanding, accessibility, and inclusion, particularly for diverse audiences. Presenters in this track are required to physically demonstrate their activity live during the session, actively engaging the audience. Submissions must therefore describe activities that are feasible for in-person demonstration at the conference venue. Proposals that cannot be demonstrated on site (e.g. Satellite hardware such as CubeSats) or that consist solely of a presentation without a hands-on component will not be accepted. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope and to space. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.9. (To be updated) Space Culture: Public Engagement in Space through Culture and Art
This session will focus on the education and outreach activities of institutions such as museums, space agencies, non-profit organisations and individual contributions, which link space with culture, the arts and humanities. This session will specifically look at papers elaborating on new and original processes used in public engagement through culture and art. Presenters will be required to explain how their projects informed critical reflection and what mechanics in public engagement through culture and art were used to allow it. This session is co-organised by the SEOC and ITACCUS committees. When submitting abstracts for this session, please: • Clearly identify the connection to the session’s described scope. • Briefly describe what you will present, including results and evaluation of your work, if it has been completed, or a thorough description of the expected outcomes of the work. • Include information about what makes your work unique, original or innovative and worth sharing with the international space community. • State your work’s goal, the intended audience, the measurable objectives that were set, and if the work is in planning or has already occurred. • Provide context describing the research and/or analysis you conducted in choosing the purpose of the activity, the intended audience, and the design of the activity. • Include reference to quantitative or qualitative data gathered through evaluations, surveys or other means. • If any theories are developed, please include information about the practical applicability of the information. • Consider that your audience is international and focus on what others working in the field can learn from your work. Include lessons learned, recommendations or other takeaway messages. • Make sure that the abstract provides a coherent idea or narrative for someone unfamiliar with your work.
E1.IP. (To be updated) Interactive Presentations - IAF SPACE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SYMPOSIUM
This session provides a dynamic platform for authors to showcase space education and outreach initiatives through interactive, visually rich digital presentations aligned with any topic within the Space Education and Outreach Symposium. Interactive Presentations will be displayed on dedicated digital screens in a designated exhibition area and will be accessible to all Congress attendees throughout the Congress. In addition, authors will be assigned a dedicated 10-minute time slot to present their work in person and engage directly with attendees through discussion and questions. This format is particularly well suited to activities that benefit from visual storytelling, multimedia content, and audience interaction, including the use of presentations, images, audio, video, animations, embedded links, and other digital features. The session is open to initiatives targeting both specialist and general audiences and encourages creative approaches to communicating impact, outcomes, and lessons learned. An award for the Best Interactive Presentation (E Category) will be presented during a special ceremony. When submitting an abstract to this session, authors should ensure that their proposal clearly addresses the following points: • Describe the research, analysis, or needs assessment that informed the purpose of the activity, the selection of the target audience, and the overall design of the initiative. • Clearly state the goal(s) of the activity, the intended audience(s), and the measurable objectives defined to assess success. Indicate whether the activity is completed, ongoing, or in the planning phase. • Provide a concise but comprehensive description of the activity or programme, highlighting elements that make it unique, original, innovative, or scalable. • Explain how participants or audiences were reached or attracted, including promotion, dissemination channels, partnerships, or platforms used. • Outline the analysis that will be presented, including results and evaluation findings for completed activities, or a clear description of expected outcomes and evaluation methods for planned initiatives. • Assess outcomes against the stated measurable objectives and indicate whether and how the original goals were met. • Summarise top-level lessons learned, best practices, recommendations for future activities, and the practical applicability of the work, including insights transferable to other contexts.