Explorer Scouts in Buckinghamshire can now launch into learning space skills

The Space Activity Badge for Explorer Scouts is supported by Tim Peake, the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut, to inspire young people to develop a true connection with space and STEM. The Space Activity Badge helps develop wide practical skillsets and thought processes to open their eyes to the range of roles that are within the Space industry.

The badge is born out of the Space to Inspire initiative which promotes the young people to have a deep and meaningful connection to the space industry. The hands-on approach will help inspire the young people of Buckinghamshire to consider wider skillsets and future career opportunities that currently contribute to the £18billion industry in the UK.

From today, Explorer Scouts of Buckinghamshire will be able to replicate the skills used by scientists and engineers around the world, including here in the UK, to guide the Perseverance Rover across Mars’ surface, the young people will be encouraged to learn how to control something remotely. Explorer Scouts of Buckinghamshire will embrace their curiosity and discover ways to grow plants without soil – a task undertaken on the International Space Station to test different watering methods.

Tim Peake, Scouts Ambassador and Astronaut speaking from the launch, said:

“The exciting launch of the new Explorer Scout Space Activity Badge will ignite interest and spark curiosity in STEM for a whole new generation. This new badge brings together the knowledge of what’s been and the possibility of what could be, both in space and here on Earth for young people aged between 14 and 18. After working alongside some of the most talented space industry professionals in the world, it’s wonderful to see Explorers reaching up and developing the skills that helped me on my own space journey.”

The new Explorer Space Activity Badge offers the unique opportunity for young people of Buckinghamshire aged between 14 and 18 to have true hands-on experience in developing STEM skills, and experiencing the application of them, specific to the space industry. The badge for the Explorer Scouts is the last launch of Space Activity Badges through the Scouts and UK Space Agency partnership, providing space and STEM skills for life across all ages from age 4, now through to age 18.