One of Only Twelve Men to Walk on the Moon Lands in Leicester

There are over 6 billion people on Earth. Five hundred of those have gone into space, but only 12 of them have ever walked on the surface of another world. Charlie Duke is one of those men and this week a lucky group of over 80 students from across the UK will be attending a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) educational event to meet him and learn the secrets of space exploration.

They have been invited to the National Space Centre in Leicester to meet the famous NASA astronaut, who became the tenth and youngest man to walk on the moon in 1972. In addition the students will also participate in workshops linked to space exploration, astronomy and physics.

The students have been chosen because of their schools’ links with STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Network), a national organisation that encourages young people to follow careers in these areas.

Charlie Duke will give an inspiring talk to the students and teachers about his experiences and answer their questions about science and space. Students will work on experiments linked to space exploration, assisted by over 25 STEM Ambassadors from local businesses such as Rolls Royce, e.ON Engineering, and The BBC. Experiments will include programming rover robots to drive on a replicated Martian surface that is currently used by UK Space Industry leader Astrium to test their multi-million pound ExoMars robot prior to its journey to Mars in 2016.

STEM Ambassadors are professionals working in STEM careers who volunteer to work with schools and colleges to act as role models for young people. There are over 19,000 STEM Ambassadors across the UK and over 1,300 based in the East Midlands who are ready to inspire.