Education and Skills Case for Space Report

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (formally PPARC and CCLRC), along with partners EADS-Astrium Ltd, the British National Space Centre, and the Regional Development Agency 'Yorkshire Forward', has published a consultants' report entitled "The Education and Skills Case for Space".

It reports on the existing evidence that linking space activity with young people improves educational standards and skills and can affect choice of a science or technology subject post-16 or on entering University. This follows on from the report by Prof Martin Barstow (University of Leicester), entitled "Bringing Space into School Science", which was published in 2005. The main emphasis is on evidence from the UK, but some data from overseas are included.

Dr Robin Clegg, Head of Science in Society for the Council, said "It is well known that space activity inspires young people, but much of the evidence for that has been anecdotal. This report reveals better evidence that the excitement of space does affect educational standards and students' subject choice for post-16 and University studies. There is now an even stronger basis for investment in national programmes around the UK which link space activity with both the formal and informal education sectors. These in particular can help to deliver on the Governments targets for science and skills as outlined in the recent 'Next Steps' budget paper".

The consultants were Paul Spencer and Graham Hulbert.

Download a copy of the report below.

| - Education and Skills Report (MS Word-832 KB)(open in a new window)

| - Education and Skills Report (PDF-447 KB)(open in a new window)