Education: the engine that launches dreams into space

It is not unreasonable to say that, for many, contact with space begins at an early age through science and space exploration. It is common for youngsters to be fascinated by astronomy, after a first contact illuminated by the stars and distant planets observable in the night sky; often, the dream of being an astronaut is also part of youngsters’ aspirations.

But it is also clear that, with time, the dazzle fades with the perception that Space is a distant place, of high complexity, and that few can reach. But is it really like that?

Space is increasingly playing a key role in our lives: satellites allow us to check the daily weather and use navigation software, study the oceans and the Earth’s surface, contribute to more efficient agricultural crops and communicate safely or in remote areas, making it possible to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, namely regarding health and education.

Space allows us to get closer to each other, while it is getting closer to us as well. It is a multifaceted sector; in all the sectors it integrates, it is essential to recognize the inherent multidisciplinary nature, which allows it to promote scientific, technological and business advances. And its relevance has been growing, with the creation and promotion of synergies between this and other sectors, and it is expected to continue to do so.

Thus, the importance of dissemination and education for Space (and from Space, or the resources we get from it) must grow at the same pace: the sustainable growth of the sector depends on the future generation that will be able to contribute to and benefit from it. Thus, it is essential to work to maintain the fascination for Space, prolonging it and nurturing it with the multidisciplinarity of the sector.

In fact, the impact of education for Space (or through it), and namely astronomy, goes far beyond building a sustainable space ecosystem: as an example, one of the strategic objectives of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is to “promote the use of astronomy as a tool for development in each country”. This is, in fact, what Rosa Doran, profiled in this edition, does. She recently won the first edition of the IAU Astronomy Education Prize. We tell her story and that of the Núclio association, which in the last twenty years has reached over 70,000 teachers.

Space sciences allow the teaching of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and general promotion of sciences, allowing an increase of knowledge and abilities of the exposed public and, consequently, contributing to the increase of human capital (with its known virtues as a critical factor for a sustainable social and economic growth).

While not everyone who is exposed to space sciences becomes a physicist, mathematician, astronomer, or scientist, the diversity of the space sector promotes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) areas, which are essential for facing present and future technological and environmental problems, in the most varied sectors.

Some of the activities developed by the Portuguese Space Agency point in this direction. With the first editions of the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC), we have proved, precisely, the need for synergies between several areas of knowledge so that the main goal of the competition is achieved: the launching of a rocket. The Zero-G Portugal – Astronaut for a Day competition, in partnership with Ciência Viva – the institution highlighted in this month’s edition of the Portugal Space newsletter -, will take 30 young people aged between 14 and 18 years old on a parabolic flight, has also highlighted the need to reach the younger generation through this type of initiative.

Cooperation between institutions is essential to take these opportunities to everyone and to democratize Space in Education as well. And that is exactly what we intend to show with this edition of our newsletter: that the opportunities exist, that there are those who want to reinforce the importance of education for Space, but also that this is a long path that we must take together.

Therefore, schools and institutions dedicated to education and Space, universities, respective research centers and companies of the sector should move with the common goal of building an ecosystem with all and for all that feeds itself and grows in a sustainable way, ensuring that there is Space for all and that, in the future, our country may have an even more prominent position in the global space panorama. Shall we do it?