Building on the success of last years Space Industry Experience, the National Space Academy once again ran this intensive and unique opportunity in July 2011 in association with four partner organisations; EADS Astrium, RAF Henlow, Magna Parva and RAF Cosford. 

A group of 11 students from Leicester City schools who had just completed their GCSEs and have chosen to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects at KS5 were selected from a very strong field of applications.  

The aim of the experience was to give these students an insight into the range of space based STEM careers available to them and the working lives of Space Scientists. In addition the intention was to help them improve key skills and qualities that they would need in the future for school, university and work.

It was deemed essential for the work experience placement to be rich in hands on activities and to include substantial contact time with active members of the space science community. In addition personalised career advice was tailored to help them progress through KS5 to university and beyond.  

Throughout the experience students were asked to maintain a reflective diary of their time, and to prepare a written report on a relevant topic, as well as a presentation to be delivered on the final day. 

Over the course of two weeks, participants found their time split between the National Space Centre, and visiting space science, engineering and medical based organisations on trips.  

Among the many activities participants took part in were an intensive space science masterclass, workshops on presentation skills and science communication, Astronomy careers, the dangers of near earth objects (NEOs) and a full day Geographic Information Systems workshop with scientists from the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham.  

Four space/aerospace based companies were visited as part of the experience. At Magna Parva a session was held with several engineers detailing some of the projects the company is involved in and how they themselves cam to be working in their role. In addition students had to design, calculate payload specifications of and build a model satellite which then underwent rigorous testing. 

EADS Astrium provided a hands on space materials workshop as well as a tour of the facility and a behind the scenes look at a prototype of the ExoMars Rover. And at RAF Henlow (the UK’s Centre for Aviation Medicine) students got an insight into the physiological effects of high altitude, low pressure flying on the human body and the analogies this has to space travel. Here they were given the opportunity to sit in a hypobaric chamber and test the disorientation chamber used to train pilots. 

Finally, the Space Industry Experience travelled to RAF Cosford, the HQ Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering to learn about jet engines, fighter jets and missiles! This afforded all participants the chance to sit in a real life jet, experiment with an advance jet engine simulator and get 'up close and personal' with real life ordinance, as well as attend lectures on how all of these aspects work.

This experience helped the participants gain a focus and direction with regards to the careers they want to follow, improved their confidence and key skills, and gave them a valuable insight into the real world of space science and engineering.

For a full report including feedback summary and outcomes, please click here