Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre will be part of the exciting new Destination Space programme.
Backed by the UK Space Agency, science centres across the UK have joined forces with the European Space Agency’s first British astronaut, Tim Peake, to provide children all over the UK with a unique opportunity to join his crew, learn about human space flight and follow life on the International Space Station.
With over 20 million visitors to UK science centres every year, Destination Space will give families across the nation the chance to learn about Tim Peake’s mission through hands-on experiments, rocket demonstrations, space equipment and video from the International Space Station.
At Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, there will be a programme of exciting events including astronaut science shows, spaghetti engineering challenges and girls’ nights out.
As well as learning about Tim Peake’s work on the International Space Station, the programme will celebrate the team behind Tim, highlighting great opportunities for young people within the science and space sectors.
Dr David Parker, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Human spaceflight is the ultimate in team effort with many committed individuals working to get an astronaut into space. We wanted the Destination Space programme to recognise the talents of the people who support Tim Peake and in doing so showcase all the fantastic career opportunities this sector offers young people.
“Our Destination Space family shows and school workshops at 20 science centres across the UK allow visitors to learn more about Tim Peake’s mission, get hands-on training and find out all about the great people that work behind the scenes in human space flight.”
Online, Destination Space follows Tim Peake’s adventures in space and encourages the UK to get behind his mission through the inspiring figures who will be supporting his adventures. Everyone can sign up for training with Tim and share their endeavours via a social media command centre.
A unique personality tool has also been developed that allows people to secure their place in Tim Peake’s crew, assigning everyone a role based on their interests and preferences.
The Destination Space Programme has been created and delivered by the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres in Bristol working in partnership with expert teams at the National Space Centre in Leicester, Science Museum in London and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Cheshire.
Dr Teresa Anderson, the Director of Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre said: “Everyone in the team here at Jodrell Bank is very excited about Tim Peake’s ‘Principia’ Mission – and about the great programme of activities we have lined up around it. What makes it all even better is that we are working on this with people in every corner of the UK – right across the Science Centre network.”
