Space for You Key Stage Two

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We aim to provide a novel, exciting project to allow primary pupils access to STFC research in fun and exciting and age-appropriate way. This newly developed workshop will be specifically designed for key stage 2 pupils and the two-pronged delivery means that the workshop can be run by experienced science communicators and also university researchers. Support will be given to teachers to expand the reach even further to more pupils, teachers and schools.The greatest impact will be on primary pupils with low science capital. This project will allow us to bring space research to their doorstep and to see what they recall afterwards. Key stage two pupils learn about magnetism, light and space as part of the National Curriculum. We would like to build on their understanding and broaden their scientific skills to relate these topics to STFC exciting research at the University of Leicester (UoL). Profiling researchers during the project is to improve understanding and the pupils' aspirations.Why primary pupils?In our last STFC funded project,' Twinkle twinkle little star', we found that before our workshops 46% of pupils said that they didn't know what space researchers did at work. According to ASPIRE 'Students with low science capital who do not express STEM-related aspirations at age 10 are unlikely to develop STEM aspirations as they get older.' Page 27 www.kcl.ac.uk/ecs/research/aspires/aspires-final-report-december-2013.pdf Sphere Science has experience of communicating complex science topics in an age-appropriate way. When running our Uranium Enrichment workshops to Year 4 pupils in Ellesmere Port, 80% of the pupils could recall how uranium can be enriched after more than two weeks, and all teachers said that the workshop was well pitched. Recently Jennifer Carter, our partner, from the UoL ran a session on her research. Here are comments from Emma Milton the year 5 teacher, from Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, 'In Year 5, our recent topic was materials and the pupils were able to apply what Jennifer had taught them about plasma to our discussion of solids, liquids and gases.' 'I couldn't believe how many insightful questions the pupils in each class asked. This has really helped us increase our science capital. Even after Jennifer left, the pupils continued to ask questions and have comments about what they had learnt.'Aspirations are difficult to measure for primary pupils. The first step towards improving STEM aspirations is creating informed and enthusiastic pupils, teachers, and if possible, parents.Why develop activities for teachers?After the Sphere Science STFC funded 'Twinkle twinkle little star,' project, 100% of the primary teachers said they would follow-up the workshop and would now feel confident talking about this research in their future lessons. Providing confidence-building resources for teachers increases the impact of the workshop beyond the initial visit and extends access to other pupils, teachers and other schools.How do the researchers benefit?Researchers will be trained in the workshop, providing a resource that can be used, in and around the Leicester area. The workshop will provide an efficient and focused activity for researchers to go into primary schools with. What is the research?The magnetopause is the interface between the Earth's magnetosphere and the interplanetary magnetic field carried by the solar wind. The magnetopause is highly dynamic, and it moves and changes shape due to the variations in the solar wind orientation and strength. UoL researchers, on a STFC consolidated grant (ST/S000429/1), study the Earth's magnetosphere as it responds to the changes in the solar wind. The UoL is heavily involved in the SMILE mission, a joint mission of the European Space Agency and Chinese Academy of Sciences. This is timely research, because as our society is increasingly dependent on satellite technologies we become vulnerable to the vagaries of space weath