Explorer Scouts (young people aged 14-18) from the Albion (DORA) Explorer Scout Unit based in Bermondsey today joined Tim Peake, the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut, at the Science Museum, Kensington to launch a brand-new Space Activity Badge.
The activities completed by the Explorer Scouts took place next to the Soyuz space capsule at the Science Museum which returned Tim safely to Earth after 6 months on the International Space Station.
The Space Activity Badge for Explorer Scouts will inspire young people to develop a true connection with space and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The Space Activity Badge helps develop wide practical skillsets and thought processes to open their eyes to the range of roles that are within the Space industry.
Over 45,000 Explorer Scouts, across nearly 3000 units nationally including here in Southwark will now be able to earn a Space Activity Badge for the first time in the section’s history.
The badge is born out of the Space to Inspire initiative which promotes the young people to have a deep and meaningful connection to the space industry. The hands-on approach will help inspire the young people to consider wider skillsets and future career opportunities that currently contribute to the £18 billion industry in the UK.
From today, Explorer Scouts will be able to replicate the skills used by scientists and engineers around the world, including here in the UK, to guide the Perseverance Rover across Mars’ surface, the young people will be encouraged to learn how to control something remotely. Explorer Scouts of Southwark will embrace their curiosity and discover ways to grow plants without soil – a task undertaken on the International Space Station to test different watering methods.
Tim Peake, Scouts Ambassador and Astronaut speaking from the launch, said
“The exciting launch of the new Explorer Scout Space Activity Badge will ignite interest and spark curiosity in STEM for a whole new generation. This new badge brings together the knowledge of what’s been and the possibility of what could be, both in space and here on Earth for young people aged between 14 and 18. After working alongside some of the most talented space industry professionals in the world, it’s wonderful to see Explorers reaching up and developing the skills that helped me on my own space journey.”
The badge for the Explorer Scouts is the last launch of Space Activity Badges through the Scouts and UK Space Agency partnership, providing space and STEM skills for life across all ages from age 4, now through to age 18.
Emily Coulter, age 15, Explorer Scout who attended the launch, said
“I loved earning the Space Activity Badge for Explorer Scouts. I got the chance to speak to a real astronaut and develop skills I didn’t even know were involved in the space industry. After today, I now know how space-work impacts how we do things here on Earth and I can apply the new skills I learnt when considering further study.”
The Albion (DORA) Explorer Scouts meet at Scout House, 254 Jamaica Road, Rotherhithe SE16 4BD. They have opportunities for adult volunteers to join the team, put their skills to good use, learn new ones and be part of the local community. To find out more contact Dan at [email protected]
