| NASA STARS TOUCH DOWN IN STORNOWAY |
07 June 2005 |
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The Western Isles is set to welcome one of the world’s leading astronauts next week as he touches down in Stornoway on Monday 13 June on a mission to meet school pupils from Lewis and Harris primary and secondary schools. Mike Baker, an experienced Space Shuttle pilot and commander will speak to upper primary and S1-2 secondary pupils from 22 island schools about his experiences of space and working at NASA. The event will be hosted at the Nicolson Institute. The visit has been organised by CnES Education Department in collaboration with Careers Scotland Space School, an exciting initiative supported by the Scottish Executive and the International Space Community. It aims to get more young people motivated and participating in science and technology and to help young people understand how these subjects apply to real career choices. The astronaut will demonstrate how an interest in science at an early age encouraged him to follow such a remarkable career path and how an enterprising spirit and drive have been his key to success. Cllr Norman L Macdonald, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Chairman of Education, said: "I very much welcome this initiative which gives Western Isles pupils a unique opportunity to learn first hand about space, science and the exciting prospects of future technology. Who knows, one day we may produce an astronaut from the Western Isles!" The visit to Stornoway is part of a county-wide programme supported by a team of astronauts and scientists from NASA. A request has been made for a similar visit for pupils in Uist and Barra at a later stage. Careers Scotland expects more that 25,000 pupils from across Scotland to meet some of the NASA astronauts and scientists over the festival period. Alex Blackwood, head of enterprise in education, Careers Scotland, said: CnEs Education Department contacts: Hamish Budge Tel 01851 708658 1. Careers Scotland offers a range of career planning and information services to enable individuals of all ages to maximize their career potential. It operates centres throughout Scotland and can be contacted through the website www.careers-scotland.org.uk <http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk> and on 0845 8 502 502. Careers Scotland is part of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 2. Every Local Education Authority will host a NASA visit. For more details click on www.careers-scotland.org.uk/spaceschool. PRE FLIGHT BRIEFING School pupils from Lewis and Harris will receive a unique insight into space travel on Monday [13 June] - from someone who has actually been there! NASA astronaut Mike Baker has experienced several space flights and commanded the Atlantis shuttle which docked with the Russian space station Mir in 1997. The visit has been arranged through the Scottish Space Foundation, a partnership between Careers Scotland and the Scottish Executive. Mike Baker (49) was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and gained a BSc in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1975. He became a captain in the US Navy and was accepted for the astronaut programme in 1985. He flew his first shuttle mission in 1991 and from March to October 1995 was director of operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Russia, working on the historic shuttle-Mir programme. Careers Scotland enterprise in education adviser Aileen Goodall said Mike Baker was an inspiring speaker whose example could set young people thinking about their own career options. "It's extremely valuable for young people to meet someone who has set their sights on a particular goal and succeeded in achieving it," said Aileen. "Mike Baker's experience tells pupils that, with talent and determination, it's possible to carve out a career in whatever field you choose." This opportunity is extremely relevant to some of the science taught at these stages • Improving Science Education group 18 (Earth and the Solar System) as part of the Earth and Space attainment outcome planned for P7. The visit will also encourage youngsters to develop a genuine interest in science and possibly encourage them to go onto further formal study.
Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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