This interactive show is aimed at students aged 11-14 but can be adapted to suit audiences of other ages. This show features 6 space industry role models who demonstrate the variety of careers within the space sector and the diversity of people who do them. Each role model was interviewed by Our Space Our Future students, and then this material was used to produce short 2–3-minute recordings. Science Made Simple then worked with these role models to develop a practical demonstration related to their work. In the show, we play videos, engage the audience with questions, and bring volunteers up to the front to help with the demonstrations. The show is fun, creative, and encourages students to consider the benefits of the space industry.

Setting Details

45–55-minute interactive show that can be watched through Vimeo,  can be performed in person by the Science Made Simple team, or used as inspiration for your own show development. The recommended format is an in-person show in a space big enough for the audience to be seated and room for two tables of equipment and for a presenter to address the audience.

This interactive show is aimed at students aged 11-14 but can be adapted to suit other ages. Featuring 6 space industry role models, this activity demonstrates the variety of careers within the space sector and the diversity of people who do them. The role models were interviewed by Our Space Our Future students and then that material was used to produce short 2–3-minute recordings. Science made simple then worked with the role models to develop a practical demonstration related to their work. In the show we play the recording, engage the audience with questions, and bring volunteers up to the front to help with the demonstrations. The show is fun, creative, and encourages students to consider the benefits of the space industry.

Learning Objectives

  • The space industry covers many different careers.
  • Anyone can have a space industry career.
  • The space industry benefits everyone.
  • STEM subjects are important and interesting.

Materials needed

Science Made Simple will bring all the equipment with them for in-person performance. Alternatively, the show can be watched on Vimeo or downloaded to avoid issues with an unreliable internet connection.

Script/programme of activity

Book Science Made Simple to facilitate these events or watch the video with Vimeo.

To develop your own version

  • Find 5 or 6 diverse space industry role models (these would ideally come from local industry or University researchers)
  • Film a 1–2-minute introduction of these role models, where they can talk about themselves and the work they do.
  • Show the introduction videos to the students, and encourage them to come up with questions for the role models. What do they love about their job? What subjects did they enjoy at school? What hobbies do they have? Etc.
  • Record a 30–45-minute interview between your students and the role model.
  • Edit the recording to form a 2–3-minute highlight video to be shown during a subsequent show. Ideally, have your students do the editing so they can focus on what they think is important or interesting about what the role models said.
  • Work with the role models to develop a practical demonstration that would involve the whole audience or use volunteers. They can be challenging and creative ideas, but most importantly they should be fun, inclusive, and achievable. Watch the video for examples.
  • The final 45–55-minute show would aim to have the message that the space industry is so much more than rockets and astronauts and is full of opportunities.
    • A quick intro to say you are going to introduce the students to lots of space industry jobs and thank them for their input (e.g., role model interviews and editing)
    • Each role model highlights a video and practical demonstration
    • A quick summary saying that we hope the students found something they thought was interesting or important and to not forget that we have only shown them a tiny part of what the space industry is, there is so much more than they could explore in their future career.

Teacher/educator

Booking an in-person show by Science Made Simple or showing students the video. Alternatively, your institute/organisation can use this framework to produce your own show that is relevant to your students and the communities they live in.

Guardian

Watch the video with their dependants and use it to encourage further research of space careers. Reflect together on the benefits of the space industry to everyone.

Researcher/invited expert

Act as a space industry role model. Record a 1–2-minute introduction to themselves and their work. Be interviewed by the students. Help the presenter in developing a practical demonstration related to their work.

Stakeholder

Suggest potential space industry role models and help promote the activity using social media and other platforms.

Key elements for inclusivenes

Ensure your space industry role models are diverse. Use inclusive language. Choose diverse volunteers during the show. Plan multi-sensory adaptions to your demonstrations for students with additional needs.

Videos

Extra information

For any more information please contact info@sciencemadesimple.co.uk