Tag: Space for Everyone summer tour

UK Space Agency’s Space for Everyone tour engages over 160,000 young people

The UK Space Agency’s Space for Everyone tour reached more than 160,000 young people on its 5-month journey around the UK

The STEAM tour, which featured a 72-feet replica rocket, visited 13 cities across all 4 nations of the UK between June – October this year, on its mission to inspire the next generation of space professionals. 

The tour showcased the pivotal role of space in enhancing life on Earth and highlighted the diverse career pathways available in the sector to young people from all backgrounds and skill sets.

In total, the tour covered 2,684 miles, the same distance as 5 return trips to the International Space Station.

Visitors had the opportunity to experience interactive exhibits, hear from experts, and learn about the career opportunities available in the UK space sector from partners including the World Wide Fund for Nature, Orbex, Skyrora and AmbaSat.

Besides individual participants, Space for Everyone also welcomed 130 school, youth, and community organisations, offering them specially guided tours, further enriching their educational experiences and knowledge of the UK’s spaceflight sector.

Following the Space for Everyone tour, the UK Space Agency’s iconic 72-feet replica rocket will now go on loan to Spaceport Cornwall where it will continue to inspire future generations about space as part of a free space-based exhibition.

Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch, said: “We’re working hard to encourage diversity and inspire young people from all backgrounds and skill sets to ensure the UK space sector remains vibrant, innovative, and above all successful in achieving our goal for the UK to be the leading provider of launch in Europe by 2030. 

“Our Space for Everyone tour has achieved phenomenal success, engaging over 160,000 young people about the exciting opportunities in the UK’s fast-growing space sector and highlighting  the wide variety of opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds and skill sets.”

As part of the tour, Imperial College London joined forces with the UK Space Agency to build upon their recently launched website, I’m a Space Person, which highlights the range of careers in the space industry. Here, visitors can also download a range of free space-based education resources and career tips as well as an online version of the tour.

Dr Simon Foster, Outreach Officer and Teacher, Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, said: “We have been delighted to collaborate with the UK Space Agency on their Space for Everyone tour website.

“The space sector is a huge part of the UK economy and giving young people an understanding of the diverse range of careers on offer and how to access them is vital to ensure that we have a healthy talent pipeline”.

For further information about the Space for Everyone tour and to watch the online broadcast, please visit the tour website or follow @spacegovuk on social media.

UK Space Agency announces Space for Everyone summer tour across the UK

This summer, an out-of-this-world experience is set to tour 10 locations across the UK, exciting the next generation about career possibilities within the growing space sector.

The UK Space Agency’s Space for Everyone tour will showcase the role of space in improving life on Earth and highlight the diverse and varied career paths open to young people looking to enter this fast-growing industry – demonstrating how space works for them, and how they can work for space.

The tour will feature a 72 feet replica rocket for young people to learn more about how the UK is launching into space, and also include hands-on experiences to engage and fire up the imagination. Trained hosts and industry experts will be on hand to share more about the role of satellites and the varied careers available in the UK space sector.

British astronaut Tim Peake said: “The Space for Everyone tour will demonstrate the incredible capacity of space to inspire. It took thousands of people to make my mission to the International Space Station possible and there is a huge variety of careers on offer in space right here in the UK.

“I hope this activity sparks an interest in the future generations who will take our space sector to new heights.”

The Space for Everyone tour will visit:

  1. Southampton – West Bargate: 1-5 June
  2. Swansea – Dylan Thomas Square: 22-26 June
  3. Leicester – National Space Centre: 29 June – 3 July
  4. Bradford – Centenary Square: 6-10 July
  5. Belfast – Cathedral Gardens: 20-24 July
  6. Aberdeen – Queens Links: 3-7 August
  7. Newcastle – Times Square: 10-14 August
  8. Hull – Queen Victoria Square: 17-21 August
  9. Great Yarmouth – Sea Life Gardens: 24-28 August
  10. Hastings – Hastings Pier: 31 August – 4 September

Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said: “Our Space For Everyone tour is an exciting opportunity for our next generation to see first-hand what it is really like to work in the space sector and to learn about careers in this growing and exciting industry.

“The space sector requires various skills – many not traditionally associated with it – and champions inclusivity and the need for innovation. You don’t have to be a rocket, as there are a host of skills and talents needed to bring space closer to our daily lives and improve our understanding of this critical part of the environment for the benefit of the planet and its people.”

Aside from inspiring the next generation, this tour is about highlighting the opportunities within the space industry for people of all backgrounds; championing inclusivity and the need for innovation. The roadshow is free and open to all ages, and the hope is that it will ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and maths in everyone who attends.

Find out more about the Space for Everyone: Rocket Roadshow on the website or follow UK Space Agency on social media.