The hugely successful Tayside Space School, created and managed by the University of Abertay Dundee, is to expand this year with the help of the Institute of Physics.
The popular programme, now in its sixth year, involves over 100 P6 and P7 school pupils from across Tayside. The pupils attend ‘Space Centres’ at the University of Abertay Dundee, Perth College and Dundee Science Centre for several weeks and finish up on a week-long programme during the Summer holidays where NASA astronauts arrive to work with the children and tell them about their own space adventures first hand.
In the past, the location and the sheer demand for spaces has meant that some pupils (particularly those from rural areas) have missed out. Now, with funding from the Institute of Physics the team at Abertay are able to roll out a series of roadshow events for these schools. The roadshows entitled ‘Physics fun in space!’ will be delivered by academics and students from Abertay’s School of Contemporary Sciences.
Organiser Alan Bruce from Abertay said: “We want to do everything we can to encourage an interest in science at an early age and work with schools across the area on a number of initiatives throughout the year.
“Demand for the Space School is always high and I am so pleased that we are able to offer even more youngsters the chance to get involved. Especially the rural schools in Angus who are not able to access the classes held in Dundee or Perth. We are very grateful for the recognition and input from the Institute of Physics.”
Sarah Fletcher, Head of Physics at Dundee High School, helped Alan write the bid to the Institute of Physics and senior pupils from the school will assist with the delivery of the roadshows.
Initially there will be a total of ten roadshows beginning in May this year. Pupils will get the chance to participate in exciting experiments such as how to turn a glass of water upside down without spilling it and how to stand on eggs without breaking them.
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For more information please contact Vicki White on 01382 308935 or e-mail v.white@abertay.ac.uk
