123km
Needed to find out about space…but there’s nobody there?
At Space Connections, we’re here to help. Our aim is to boost the numbers of young people choosing to study and work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). We do this by linking education providers, the space industry and a whole range of innovative space-related education projects.
Did you know you can
navigate through the site
with your keyboard?
We’re all about making Connections (as it says on the tin!). We’re a national organisation linking the many fantastic resources that are available to teachers. And we’re a central point of contact for space-related projects, so it’s much easier for teachers to access the information and resources they need.
Space Connections has links with a wide range of organisations, including NASA, the European Space Agency, Space City in Russia, The UK Space Agency and the Royal Aeronautical Society, to name just a few.
We’ve taken some giant leaps in the things we’ve achieved so far:
Being instrumental in the development of a European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) for the UK;
Organisation of educational visits and master classes in the heart of the Russian Space programme;
Mobile outreach facility (The Space Bus) and delivery of inspiring programmes;
Working with the UK Space Agency to deliver the new National Space Strategy on education;
Coordination of UKAYROC the national young people’s rocket challenge;
Organising the Young People’s Programme at the 2011 UK Space Conference.
Organising the Young People’s Programme at the 2011 British Science Festival.
We’re here to open up a galaxy of possibilities for space in education.
Contact us on Space Connections began in 2006 as a project funded by the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward.
Space exploration and discovery have always excited and inspired children and young people and a need was recognised to make the resources from the European Space Agency (ESA) available to all. Space Connections was given the brief to undertake the initial research and pilot activities in the region. These included taking 66 children to Moscow for Cosmonaut training, organising rocket challenges and bringing the crew of the Space Shuttle to Bradford.
However, the writing was on the wall even then for public funding and in 2008 Space Connections Enterprises was launched as a Community Interest Company and began to search for ways to become sustainable. Since then we have acquired the only Space Bus in the UK, a mobile planetarium and a team of expert education deliverers and continue to deliver exceptional Space events to schools, communities and festivals.
And it doesn’t end there: We have diversified into education resource provision, event coordination and many other areas of STEM activity. For more information, please visit our current and past projects.
Andy Willis
Amber Ross
Holly Macgregor
Helen Barraclough
Amelia Thomas
CONTACT ME >>
1369
Position:
Special Projects Manager
Contact information:
andy@spaceconnections.net
Andy has worked at Space Connections since its inception. As part of his role, he runs a national aerospace challenge for 11-18 year olds inspiring young people to take up study in Science, Engineering and Technology, and ultimately a career in aerospace. The challenge normally consists of rockets, big flames and eggs.
He also runs ad-hoc aerospace/space workshops and often finds himself working with Astronauts and Engineers from NASA. One of his claims to fame is teaching George Abbey (Ex NASA Director) how to make Yorkshire Puddings(YP) who in turn called him up Christmas day to tell him how well his YP’s had risen!
Andy is also studying part time reading Aviation Management and Operations at The University of Bradford. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and through the summer months he can normally be found in the Yorkshire Dales under canvas.
Most likely to say – “Just off to Greggs”
Favourite quote “I am well convinced that Aerial Navigation will form a most prominent feature in the progress of civilization – Sir George Cayley”
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1369
Position:
BDM
Contact information:
amber@spaceconnections.net
Amber has worked at Space Connections in the role of Business Development Manager for a very exciting, inspirational couple of years seconded from Yorkshire Forward (The Regional Development Agency) and then becoming a full time employee from November 2010. Amber along with Space Connections colleagues managed the Young Peoples Programme at the British Science Festival last year bringing over 4,600 school children from across the country to various events held at Bradford College and Bradford University.
Amber has a wealth of experience in managing a wide range of complex and challenging projects Including European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, Single Regeneration Budget and Single Pot funded projects. Amber has created numerous computerised systems to ensure that projects are monitored effectively and ultimately achieve the projects aims and objectives, financial and output targets and loves nothing more than creating a challenging spreadsheet.
Favourite Quote: If you can dream it, you can do it – Walt Disney
Most likely to say: It gives me the Eebie jeebies
CONTACT ME >>
1369
Position:
Project Development Officer
Contact information:
holly@spaceconnections.net
Holly has worked with Space Connections since June. She graduated with a degree in Philosophy in May 2011. At university she was part of an outreach project to teach philosophy in all schools and to all ages. Before that she had a variety of jobs including waitressing in a vintage tea rooms where she got to indulge in her penchant for wearing 1940′s and 1950′s outfits.
Favourite quote
“One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.” -Socrates
Most likely to say
Pass me another biscuit
CONTACT ME >>
1369
Position:
Managing Director
Contact information:
helen@spaceconnections.net
Helen has worked with Space Connections since it began in 2008. She graduated with a degree in Microbiology and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education. Helen has held a variety of positions in both the public and private sector. She was a research technologist in the R&D department at the European head office at Kellogg’s and is disproportionately proud of her role in the development of the ‘Nut Cluster’ . She then taught in a number of primary and secondary schools where she coordinated Science and the Gifted and Talented programme.
Helen left teaching to become the science advisor at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum as part of the Creative Minds project and is committed to raising the enjoyment, attainment and achievement in all aspects of learning.
Favourite quote
‘”Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels that perhaps there isn’t.”
- A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Most Likely to Say
‘ It’s in my bag……. Somewhere…’
CONTACT ME >>
1369
Position:
Finance Manager
Contact information:
amelia@spaceconnections.net
Amelia was the first employee of Space Connections and has many roles over the years developing her skills and in depth knowledge of the company. Currently her main duties are managing the finances, health and safety and HR.
Favourite quote
‘We know not where we are going. For the ocean will decide – it’s not the destination. It’s the glory of the ride’ – Edward Monkton, Zen dog
Most likely to say – Apparently the ‘look’ says it all! (still waiting to find out what they mean)
Did you know?
Halley's Comet was last seen in the inner Solar System in 1986,
it will be visible again from Earth sometime
in 2061 (get your camera ready).
Click on the planets to see
our latest projects
Click on the planets to see
our latest projects
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The Mobile Planetarium
The Mobile Planetarium travels to schools and events either with or without the bus. Inside our glamorous astrophysicist will guide you through all the nooks and crannies of space so you can learn about the moon, galaxies, stars and astronauts and gaze in awe at the incredible space shows and star projections.
The planetarium can fit up to 30 children inside at a time or 20 adults and the show can be tailored to suit whatever age group you require it for.
Our astro-physicist can also present a space show to larger groups of children so everyone can get involved!
Click the Black hole
where it goes
nobody knows
The Space Bus is designed to look like the international space station and travels to schools and events country-wide hosting workshops in rocket building, ‘Living and working in space’, moon buggies and Martian soil testing. We’ve been to festivals, schools and many other events. We have workshops to suit children from foundation and early years up to year 6.
The bus can fit up to 24 children inside at any one time. A typical session lasts for 1 hr and includes building rockets and a workshop on living and working in space in which the children get to try real space food. Although this is a typical session, we can tailor session lengths and workshops to best suit what you want from the bus- it’s up to you!
We can also host workshops at events without the bus if you require.
Visit the site
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YESNET is a network of providers of Space activity within education across the Yorkshire region.
Members promote learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and believe that Space activity is a key way to attract and motivate young people.
Visit the site
Space Connections organise some amazing space-themed challenges, from rocket competitions to design challenges, and varying in scale from single school to international.
Challenges are not just about competition; they also encourage co-operation and teamwork – both vital skills for a young person’s future.
They also promote learning in an enjoyable and stimulating way.
People love the idea of working towards a reward, and a carefully managed challenge allows everyone to feel good about taking part. Spice up your special event or activity with a Space Connections Challenge!
See more We’d love to support your space-related activities, help you to develop your ideas for space in education, or just tell you more about what we do.
All you have to do is phone us on 08456 522406 or
e-mail on info@spaceconnections.net
Space Connections
Inspire Bradford Business Park,
Newlands Way,
Bradford,
West Yorkshire,
BD10 0JE
It’s time to discover that the wonders of space really are closer than you think.
Click on earth
to see map
You have travelled 140,000 Km
Remember, we are here to help.
Science is exciting, inspirational and can change the world.
So, if you need the Space Bus in your playground, a solar system in your hall or want to launch your career as a rocket scientist- contact us and we'll make it happen.
Enjoy the flight......
Prepare for
lift off!
Because of lower gravity, a person who weighs 100kg on earth would only weigh 38kg on the surface of Mars.
