Inspiring a million space dreams

“Space is a fascinating subject that has an incredible capacity to inspire.” So says British astronaut Tim Peake at the launch of a scheme to help the space sector deliver a million engagement activities a year with young people across the UK. 

The One Million Interactions initiative was launched at the UK Space Agency’s conference in Newport, supported by STEM Learning, ESERO UK and The Careers and Enterprise Company, in order to attract more young people into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the space industry, which generates billions of pounds for the economy and is creating 42,000 jobs. 

STEM Ambassadors, volunteers from a broad range of jobs and backgrounds who are passionate about inspiring young people to pursue STEM studies and careers, are being sought from the space industry to engage with children and young people to demonstrate the connection between the STEM subjects they study and the potential careers in space travel and exploration. 

“There are an enormous variety of careers available in the space sector,” says Tim Peake, “and during my mission to the International Space Station I was part of a team of thousands of people working behind the scenes to make it possible.  
 
“As an ambassador for space careers in the UK I have seen the power of professionals sharing their experiences with young people. This scheme is a great way of helping those young people take their first steps towards an exciting career in space.”    
  
The UK Space Agency is providing £125,000 to set the scheme up, and ongoing support to deliver it. The provision will cover all regions of the UK, all ages and attainment levels, and focus especially on under-represented groups such as girls, ethnic minorities and disadvantaged groups. 
 
To find out more and to put yourself forward as a STEM Ambassador, see the One Million Ambassador support page, or email here.