Children reach for the stars at the Life Centre as World Space Week seeks to inspire next generation
Children from Willington Primary School in Crook helped mark World Space Week.
by Sam Volpe · ChronicleLiveChildren from Willington Primary School joined North East mayor Kim McGuinness at the Life Science Centre to launch World Space Week.
The schoolchildren, who travelled from Crook to mark the occasion, were taking part in the centre's Space Explorers visit programme. They were joined by the mayor as the annual week - which is co-ordinated by the United Nations - began.
The Life Centre is hoping to expand its space programme so more children can take part, while this comes as the North East's space sector continues to grow. Earlier this year, plans for a £50m space research centre in Newcastle were approved.
Speaking at the Life Centre, the mayor Kim McGuinness said: "“I am determined the North East becomes the home of real opportunity, and part of that will come from creating jobs in cutting-edge sectors including the space industry, which is expected to be worth over £500 billion by 2030.
"We can’t all hope to go into space, but we should reach for the stars in our region’s future. I applaud the work that Life does in raising the aspirations of young people from all backgrounds across our region, igniting the spark for our future engineers, technicians and everyone else needed to realise the North East’s space ambitions, and much else besides."
The centre's chief executive Linda Conlon, who recently became the first European woman of to become a Fellow of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, added: "We’re excited and proud of the Life space programme that’s been rolled out so far. The next step is to expand this programme so that more kids can benefit from it and hopefully get on the path to exciting and rewarding careers in the space industry. “World Space Week is the ideal opportunity to get together to build on this work."
Funded by the Edina Trust and the UK Space Agency, the Space Explorers project funds schools in rural and deprived urban areas so they can learn about space and the opportunities - including for careers - which it affords.
Professor Anu Ojha, director of championing space at the UK Space Agency, added: "The North East has a rich heritage in engineering excellence and is driving forward new advancements in space technology through major projects such as NESST, backed by our Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund.
"To meet our shared ambitions, it is vital we support the development of new skills, engage proactively with people across the country and build a strong pipeline of future talent to take up the job opportunities in this fast-growing sector." Prof Ojha said they hoped the work at the Life Centre would highlight "the vital role that space plays today".
This comes as the centre gears up to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Chief executive Linda told ChronicleLive earlier this year how the team there want the people of the North East to share memories - perhaps of trips as schoolchildren to the attraction - and help shape an exciting year of celebrations.
World Space Week runs from October 4 to October 10.
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