Glasgow Science Centre – Space Junk Event

School: Rosshall Academy

Name of Activity: Space Junk Event

Name of Employer: Glasgow Science Centre

Case Study:

The Glasgow Science Centre recently hosted a “Space Junk” event inviting groups of S3 and S4 students to learn more about the space industry, including the skills needed to program and code a satellite. This event took place on Wednesday, September 25th, with a total of 14 students registered to attend.
Students travelled by minibus to the Glasgow Science Centre, where they were greeted by staff running the Space Junk event. Two staff members guided the students to a workshop room and presented an interactive session on careers in the space industry. Students were often asked to work in small groups to discuss answers to questions, which they then shared with the larger group.

Following an introduction to the space industry, students were put into groups and given a model “satellite” along with an iPad. Their task was to code the satellite to complete a low Earth orbit around a model Earth. These model satellites were essentially mini robot cars, requiring students to adjust speed and rotation to achieve a full orbit. They also faced the challenge of avoiding collisions with other teams’ satellites and preventing crashes into the model Earth.

Once students were comfortable with basic orbiting, staff introduced additional challenges, such as avoiding collisions with other satellites, plotting a course that allowed take-off from Earth, orbiting, and landing safely back on Earth.

After the workshop, students were given an hour to explore the Science Centre before taking the minibus back to school for their final classes of the day.

Objectives:

The objective of this event was to educate students about the diverse career opportunities within the space industry, with a particular focus on Scotland’s space sector. The event highlighted various engineering career paths and the associated educational routes, including university degrees, apprenticeships, and modern apprenticeships.

By programming their own satellite models, students were able to get hands-on experience with the type of work that engineers in the space industry might do. Additionally, the opportunity to explore the Science Centre allowed students who were less interested in coding to discover other STEM pathways and career options.

Results/Outcomes:

Regardless of their initial interest in STEM, all students found value and interest in the trip. They were engaged throughout the workshop and eager to learn about various aspects of the industry. Students approached each task with enthusiasm, enjoying the trial-and-error process involved in orbiting their satellites. They worked well together, often asking staff questions about different areas of the space industry.

Benefits:

The event helped students develop teamwork and communication skills as they collaborated to prevent satellite collisions. Additionally, students learned about the different paths available to enter the space industry and gained insight into the industry’s presence in Scotland. This engaging experience was eye-opening for some students, helping them realise the diverse routes to a space industry career, including options that don’t require a university degree. Many students left the event feeling more optimistic about their future career paths, having learned that they could pursue a career in the space industry immediately after school.

Testimonials

“I want to do this kind of thing for a living”

“I found the coding side a little boring but being able to explore the Science Centre was really fun”

“I really enjoyed being able to code”