Tim Peake school contacts
Tim Peake will speak to school pupils via amateur radio during the Principia mission
ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) is working with the UK Space Agency to give a number of UK schools the opportunity to speak directly to Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut, during his mission on board the International Space Station (ISS).
This live interaction between Tim and pupils will be one of the highlights of the Principia STEM outreach programme.
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is supporting this initiative and will be working with the selected schools in the run-up to the contacts and on the contact days.
The RSGB will offer a variety of support, including technical workshops, its internationally-acclaimed new youth video and the chance to talk to young RSGB Members.
John Gould, G3WKL, President of the RSGB said:
“We are delighted that amateur radio will be used in this historic mission, bringing pupils in direct contact with Tim on the ISS. The Society is dedicated to the development of the science and practice of amateur radio, and using that to encourage more young people to enter STEM-related careers through an enjoyment of this wide-ranging hobby.”
The prearranged school contacts will take place from January 2016 and students will be able to put a number of questions directly to Tim using amateur radio equipment specially installed at the school for the occasion.
The hosting schools will be organising presentations and displays before and after the contact, linking with other local schools and organisations.
A live webcast of all the day’s events, including the actual contact with Tim Peake, will be hosted by the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) on their web streaming service.
During his six-month mission to the ISS, that began on 15 December 2015, Tim will be undertaking a wide range of science experiments and has committed to take part in a large range of educational outreach activities with schools and colleges around the country.
Jeremy Curtis, Head of Education at the UK Space Agency, said:
“Both Tim’s space mission and amateur radio have the power to inspire young people and encourage them into STEM subjects. By bringing them together we can boost their reach and give young people around the UK the chance to be involved in a space mission and a hands-on project that will teach them new skills.”
The RSGB attended the launch events in London, Cardiff and Belfast on Tuesday, 15 December.
Category: ARISS, Front Page News, Principia Mission
