Astronauts give science a lift-off (From Craven Herald)

Astronauts give science a lift-off

3:40pm Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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Next port of call for astronauts who have touched down from the international space station circling the earth is ... Skipton.

The crew will be spreading the message about the excitement of working in science and technology to Craven College students.

Their mission will include a parade along historic Skipton High Street and a call at the 12th century castle.

The visit has been organised by Bradford-based Space Connections and is part of its “Lift Off” campaign to promote STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), in this case to a rural community.

The astronauts will arrive on Tuesday and take part in a number of educational events, also involving local business.

The parade will finish at Skipton Auction Mart where the astronauts will give presentations to 800 primary school students in the morning and 800 secondary school students in the afternoon.

There will be an exhibition area outside the Mart Theatre with interactive activities and showcases for the pupils to take part in. The day will end with a gala dinner at the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students and the community at large and we want as many people to be involved as possible,” said college marketing manager Antoinette Perry.

A Space Connections spokesman said: “We use space as a context and astronauts as unique individuals who have gone where most others will not have the opportunity to go.

“We want the young people of this region to believe they can help by developing their knowledge and skills in science and technology, engineering and maths to help mankind take the next giant leap.”

The campaign is Government-backed and includes a partnership with Cardiff-based ISSET (the International Space Schools Education Trust) and is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the region’s development agency.