Astronaut's stories of space adventures for pupils

James Grant - BBC News, Northamptonshire
·2-min read

An astronaut teacher has given a talk to school pupils in a bid to inspire the next generation of space explorers.

Mike Mongo spoke to the Year 5 students at Oakley Vale school in Corby, Northamptonshire.

His Q&A, live streamed to 120 schools nationwide, gave students a special lesson in space education with Mr Mongo fielding questions about the cosmos.

Mr Mongo said the aim of the session was to inspire pupils for "tomorrow's jobs in STEAM." [science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.]

The space industry in the UK is estimated to be worth £17.5bn and supports about 48,800 jobs at 2,200 firms, according to the government-run UK Space Agency.

The talk started with Mr Mongo telling the children about his life and goals before outlining the importance of space and explained what he thought future careers in space would be.

Mr Mongo said when he was growing up he needed "someone like him" to "give permission" to "live work and play in space."

Mr Mongo added: "I believe what we're doing [through the talk] is going to create a whole generation of students in the UK to lead the way into space."

The lesson in Corby marked the launch of a four-week program run by RM Technology and the UK first Spaceport, SaxaVord, in the Shetland Islands.

It aims to offer children the opportunity to engage with STEAM subjects through the theme of space.

'Inspiring'

The Year 5 students enjoyed the session as the question and answer section overran.

Ramjem said before the lesson he didn't know "much at all" about space but was "really loving" Mr Mongo's passion.

Another pupil, Gift, said he was "more interested" in space and the talk was "inspiring [the students] to do anything."

Gift added he would now "start researching" careers in space.

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