Teach space education in schools

There needs to be an inclusion of education about space and space technology into school curriculums locally and regionally.

Such a view was expressed recently by National Point of Contact for Barbados for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Verrol-Ann Scott. She was at the time addressing the online Global Space Summit 2021, which was jointly staged by SDNX Foundation in collaboration with Helium Learning Labs.

“In these small countries, space education is not something that is sold and solid in our curriculum, but I believe that this is something that we need to actively explore.”

She added, “How do we get that message out there? Ideally, we need to target from the smallest of minds to the biggest of minds. So primary school students, these can be kids ranging from the age of four up to 11. Then we can target secondary schools which are ranging from the age of 11 [to]18 or 19 and then tertiary education as well.”

Scott also said partnerships with organisations such as SDNX, SGAC and Helium Learning Labs could assist with raising awareness within the Caribbean about the space industry. These agencies through their work daily seek to educate persons globally about this field.

She additionally pointed out that through greater awareness, individuals would recognise what careers and other opportunities are available to them in the space sector.

In her presentation, Scott stated the National Point of Contacts for SGAC across the region have been working together and have been monthly staging online webinars where they “address different topics in the space sector as it relates to us in the Caribbean”.

She additionally highlighted her plans locally to bring greater interest about the space sector. Among what was outlined were plans to “have some serious talks” with representatives of the Education Ministry making suggestions of ways education about the space industry could be introduced into curriculum at all levels. A similar discussion would be had with representatives from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment.

Mention was additionally made of working with children focused organisations like Kiwanis Bridgetown Young Professionals and conducting workshops, events and activities where individuals who have benefitted from careers in space would share their knowledge.