Space for All fund funds STEM projects across the UK

The UK Space Agency has announced funding for 15 projects across the UK designed to inspire younger people into STEM.

The awards – totalling over a £1 million – will be made from the agency’s Space for All fund, which aims to attract new talent to the UK space sector.

The projects – in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – are intended “to engage young people from all backgrounds and inspire the next generation into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers”.

“As part of the UK Space Agency’s long-term investment in space education and skills, our Space for All funding is backing projects that will engage young people from all backgrounds across the UK,” said Professor Anu Ojha, Director of Championing Space at the UKSA.

“Through long lasting interventions we aim to demonstrate the value of space to everyday life and the broad range of exciting future careers available, through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways and wider.”

For example, in Northern Ireland, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will receive funding of £66,000 for the project ‘Cosmic Explorers: Igniting STEM and Astronomy in schools.

In the words of the UKSA:

“This schools outreach initiative aims to inspire the young minds of 11-16-year-olds in space science using innovative technology and audio-visual delivery in a portable planetarium dome, hands-on workshops, STEM careers advice and teacher training provision. The programme will be co-created with teachers and aligned with the curriculum.”

The funding for all the individual projects is listed below.

Space for All Fund for 2023–2025

Northern Ireland

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
Cosmic Explorers: Igniting STEM and Astronomy in schools
Location: Co. Armagh
Funding: £66,000

Scotland

Glasgow Science Centre
Space Learning Pathway
Location: Glasgow
Funding: £95,000

England

Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI)
The Big Earth Data Project
Location: Based in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Funding: £75,000

Institute of Physics
Mimi’s Space Adventure
Location: London
Funding: £100,000

East London Advanced Technology Training (ELATT)
Space in the Community
Location: London
Funding: £75,000

Life Science Centre
Space Explorers
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Funding: £97,000

University College London, Northumbria University, University of Leicester
Orbyts: Transformational Research-with-School Partnerships
Location: London, Northumbria and Leicester.
Funding: £99,000

Royal Observatory Greenwich (part of Royal Museums Greenwich)
Expanding Cosmic Horizons
Location: London
Funding: £88,000

University of Central Lancashire
Space in Schools: Careering into Space
Location: Preston
Funding: £48,000

RAF Air Cadets
Air Cadet National Air & Space Hub – Inskip
Location: Inskip, Lancashire
Funding: £44,000

The Geological Society of London
Using planetary science & space exploration to inspire future planetary geoscientists
Location: London
Funding: £93,000

Launch Access Ltd
‘Launch-Me’ – educational rocketry for all
Location: Wymondham, Norfolk
Funding: £55,000

SpaceCareers.uk Ltd
SpaceCareers.uk Interactive ‘UK Space 101’ Resource
Location: Nationwide, based in London
Funding: £58,000