International Year of Astronomy

One in five secondary schools now has a window into space after 1,000 schools received a free telescope during the International Year of Astronomy (link opens in a new window) (IYA).

“The beauty of the night sky inspired me to take up a career as a scientist,” confessed Royal Astronomical Society President (RAS) Professor Andy Fabian. “I want a new generation to have a chance to answer the ‘big questions’ that astronomers and space scientists think about every day.”

The Telescopes for Schools project celebrated Galileo’s first use of a telescope for astronomy, four hundred years ago. The project, made possible by STFC, the Society for Popular Astronomy and the RAS, aims to enthuse students about science, astronomy and space science as well as underpinning subjects like physics and mathematics.

Space Schools

In another IYA initiative, 70 specialist secondary schools applied to use space as a topic for teaching science, technology, engineering and maths. Thirty ‘Space Schools’ were eventually selected to take part in a two year Leading Space Education Programme, funded by STFC and run by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.

STFC also supported astronomy exhibitions and education programmes across the UK, including an exhibition at London’s Science Museum and a multimedia show developed for seven major science centres.

“Space exploration captures children’s imagination,” said Lord Drayson, the Minister of State for Science and Innovation. “If we can keep hold of this excitement, we can create a new skilled generation with exciting careers ahead of them in the technologies that underpin modern living.”

Space Schools information

• 1,000 secondary schools received free telescopes
• The Science Museum exhibition expects one million visitors and 12 million online visitors over 18 months
• 30 ‘Space Schools’ will share their expertise with five local secondary schools and all feeder primary schools The UK national contact for IYA is Professor Ian Robson at STFC’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre
• Support for IYA in the UK is given by STFC, the RAS and the Institute of Physics