UK-China space science in schools programme takes off in Beijing
On 14 March, UK and China launch innovative teacher training programme using space science to inspire secondary students.
Academy team 2015
A team of the UK’s top space scientists and science teachers will arrive in China this week to launch a new programme using space science in schools to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers: budding climate scientists, engineers and even astronauts.
The UK’s National Space Academy Director, Anu Ojha, will lead the team to run a set of demonstration masterclasses. They will showcase techniques for using inspirational space science to boost student engagement and achievement and enhance teacher effectiveness in high school science Chinese and British teachers and students will attend the classes which, for this pilot phase, will be held in the British School of Beijing, Shunyi and Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong.
Whoosh bottle demonstration megaclass
The Space Academy already runs masterclasses for seven-thousand students and teacher training for one-thousand teachers across the UK annually. This is the first time the programme will run in China. The programme is part of a wider space education and training relationship between the UK and China. The National Space Academy team will discuss with Chinese partners the potential to develop a wider joint programme of teacher training and student masterclasses that synthesise the very best practice from education and science systems in both China and the UK.
National Space Academy Manager Dr Kierann Shah said:
We are delighted to be working on this programme of student masterclasses and teacher training sessions in China, and to have received such wonderful hospitality.
Space is such an inspirational topic – from understanding our place in the universe, to observing our planet, exploring the solar system, and using satellite technologies to improve our daily lives, it has so much to offer as a platform for learning about science.
As in the UK, our dream in China is to spur young people on to studying science and engineering, to make the great discoveries of the future.
Andy Puttock, Principal at the British School of Beijing, Shunyi added:
We are very excited indeed to welcome the prestigious National Space Academy to BSB. Our mission is to inspire future generations with a love of learning and, in the current world, perhaps more especially a love of science and technology related subjects.
This amazing opportunity will provide outstanding experiences for our students, and a chance to develop a long-term partnership with schools and organisations in China. Our teachers can’t wait to get started.