Monday, 28 April 2025
A summer of space themed activities is blasting off this week as scientists help children from across Nottingham learn about the Universe with close-up imaging of meteorites, virtual reality space exploration and planetarium displays.
Scientists from the Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nmRC) and School of Physics and Astronomy at the 糖心原创 are putting on a programme of out-of-this-world activities with children and young people who may not usually have access to, or engage with scientific topics.=
The Make Space for Everyone event kicks off the programme on the 2 May and is working with SEND students at Yeoman’s Park Academy in Mansfield. In this session students will be able to see a live stream of the imaging of meteorite samples using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) that will give detailed, close-up images of the structure of these space rocks.
SEM is a powerful tool used to visualise the micro- and nano-structures of materials. It works by using a beam of negatively charged particles, called electrons, to scan the surface of the material, creating high-resolution images that show details as small as a few nanometres. One nanometre is approximately one hundred thousand times smaller than the width of a single human hair.
The students will also be able to use digital microscopes to do their own imaging of the meteorite samples.
We are thrilled to be working with the pupils and staff at Yeoman Park Academy to provide them with an opportunity to explore and learn more about Space. Alternative educational facilities often get overlooked for a number of reasons but as the name of the event suggests we can all 鈥楳ake Space for Everyone
There is also a space Discovery Day at the University on 3 June where local school children will have the chance to visit the School of Physics and Astronomy and nmRC and see meteorites being imaged. They will also get to visit the new Virtual Reality suite in Engineering and be immersed in a 360 view of space using the state-of-the-art technology.
On 4 June there will be a with exciting talks on Apollo missions, moon rock imaging, and moon conspiracy theories – with hands on demonstrations for the audience.
The project team are also collaborating with the Sherwood Observatory to offer home learners the chance to get involved. They will have the opportunity to see images of the moon in the incredible planetarium and get hands on with microscopes and space themed activities.
The work we do at nmRC is incredible and reveals a hidden world we usually cannot see and we want to open that up to young people. Space is such an exciting area to explore but the tools to examine it closely are not widely available, by sharing the technology and expertise we have with young people in an exciting and interactive way we hope to ignite an interest in space and science.
There鈥檚 no better way to ignite young minds about the Universe than through activities they can see, touch, and explore. We鈥檙e especially keen to show those who might feel science isn鈥檛 for them that it truly is for everyone, and that it鈥檚 absolutely thrilling.
Story credits
More information is available from Luke Norman on luke.norman2@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.