The Randal Foundation are proud to support the National Space Centre who’s guiding philosophy is space is for everyone, and their mission is to get people excited, inspire curiosity and boost STEM skills by making space accessible, educational and fun for all ages.
However, not all children and young people have equal opportunities to engage with space and STEM, experiencing multiple barriers such as financial constraints, confidence, and a feeling that STEM is ‘not for them’. This can lead to low science capital, exacerbating the low numbers of young people selecting and studying STEM subjects, limiting career opportunities and aspiration, and compounding the lack of diversity in STEM.
The community programme raises aspirations for young people through a range of creative entry points, supporting them to reach their full potential by removing systemic barriers to access. All activity is designed to empower young people to build confidence, connection, inspiration and knowledge, providing a sense of belonging and improving their life chances.
Thanks to the support of the Randal Foundation, the Centre’s community engagement team will be able to continue to provide high-quality, free-to-access STEM learning opportunities for young people in targeted Leicester communities experiencing significant deprivation.
Activities include weekly after-school space clubs in the community, mentoring and work experience opportunities, workshops for those experiencing Alternative Education Provision, and opportunities to join a Community Committee, which informs and transforms the National Space Centre’s work.
The community programme also celebrates Leicester’s rich space heritage. Living as close neighbours to Space City, young people in their satellite communities have a world of opportunity available to them in space and STEM. To facilitate this, young people participating in the community programme have chance to meet STEM role models, and be signposted to STEM education and careers pathways, thanks to the Centre’s close links with the University of Leicester and Space Park Leicester.
