The UK Space Agency is undertaking a programme of educational activity to inspire young people, particularly those from under-represented groups, to engage with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Maths) subjects. They hope to inspire the next generation of British space scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.
To this end, the Agency is now inviting potential delivery partners to help create and manage a new competition aimed at primary-age children.
The competition itself will task children in each nation of the UK between the ages of 4 and 11 to design a mission logo to commemorate the launch. The winning design will be featured on the first launch from UK soil. The competition will be promoted by a UK-wide campaign with supporting downloadable educational materials for all primary schools, as well as other identified groups of young children, such as Brownies and Cubs.
These educational materials will have a particular focus on how small satellites can help to monitor and inform solutions to climate change and children will be asked to reflect this in their designs, as well as on promoting the UK’s spaceflight programme.
It will run from November 2021 to late February 2022 (covering both the end of year academic break and the February half-term to optimise engagement). This will allow the activity to be seeded and championed within the classroom, but also for entries to be completed at home, alongside parental oversight.
This is not the only UK Government project aimed at widening engagement with the opportunities arising from Launch UK. A competition aimed at young people aged 16-plus, inviting practical designs for a small ‘nano’ satellite, will open later this year.
The final date and time for the submission of bids is Friday 3rd September 2021, at 14:00.
For more information and how to apply to be a delivery partner, visit: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk