After three years of exceptional work in supporting STEM subjects in the East Midlands the Space Academy has expanded as a national scheme with the support of the National Space Centre, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the UK Space Agency, and the European Space Agency (ESA).
As part of the expansion, the National Space Academy has taken on a Regional Project Manager - Dr Kierann Shah - to run the new office based at RAL Space in Harwell, as well as nine new Lead Educators from across England, all in the past year.
National Project Manager Dr Sarah Hill said “the new teachers we have taken on as Lead Educators really are exceptional. There were a lot of talented people interested in the role but we really have chosen the best. I am looking forward to seeing how their enthusiasm and experience helps the Academy to bring inspiring STEM courses to students and teachers throughout England”.
This was further supported by the Academy Director Anu Ojha: “the key to achieving our goals of inspiring young people and their teachers is to be the delivery of targeted courses of the highest quality. I have no doubt that the passion our Lead Educators have for their subjects will mark them out as invaluable STEM support in their local areas.”
New initiatives such as the Space Engineering course and Higher Apprenticeships have extended the role of the National Space Academy, taking into account the changing needs of young people looking for education and training, as well as the space sector companies looking to recruit new talent.
Currently the Academy network is only officially within England. However collaborating with new scientists and teachers to bring the Academy’s courses to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Island will be an important part of the Academy’s future development and has already begun with joint initiatives in all three regions.
The management team at the National Space Academy are pleased to launch the new website, making the Academy's programme of teaching and training more widely accessible.