Articles
Articles
Leicester Space Camp Blasts off in Unst!
From the 10th to the 14th of March, something out of this world happened in Shetland! Over 30 lucky Secondary 1 students from schools all across the Shetland isles took part in an amazing Leicester Space Camp on the island of Unst – the home of SaxaVord Spaceport!
The camp was part of the ‘Space to Learn’ project, run by the brilliant team at the National Space Academy. It was supported by SaxaVord Spaceport, the Jon Egging Trust, and funded by the UK Space Agency – which meant it was completely free for all the students!
What was Space Camp all about?
For five whole days, the students took part in exciting, hands-on space science lessons that linked to what they learn in school – but way more fun! The expert space teachers from the National Space Academy led sessions where students:
🌍 Explored faraway exoplanets
🔭 Made their very own telescopes
🔥 Used infra-red cameras in experiments
🚀 Built and launched real mini rockets
How cool is that?!
The aim of the camp was to help students get curious about science, think creatively, and see just how exciting learning about space can be!
Space Camp Highlights
During the week, the students also visited SaxaVord Spaceport, where rockets will launch to space in the future! They learned about all the amazing space jobs people can do – maybe even one they might want to try one day.
👩🚀 Debbie Strang, COO of SaxaVord, said:
"It's great that we have been able to join up with the National Space Academy to provide such a unique learning opportunity for students in Shetland, opening their eyes to the possiblity of further study and ultimately perhaps a career in this rapidly growing sector. I am sure they will enjoy the experience."
👩🔬 Sophie Allan, Head of Teaching & Learning at the National Space Academy, said:
"Space Camps are a joy and a privilege to run, already I have been so impressed by the way the students are engaging with the sessions. They are bringing heaps of creativity, great questions, and a thirst for knowledge to every minute and it’s wonderful to be part of. We’re pleased and proud to be delivering this very special Space Camp on Unst as part of the Space to Learn programme. For me, this location, nestled just a few miles from SaxaVord Spaceport, working with students who rarely get exposure to programmes like this, is the perfect culmination of this ambitious project."
Want to Learn More?
To find out more about the National Space Academy and their space science programmes, visit:
What an unforgettable week for Shetland’s future space explorers!
All Images © Keiba Clubb
