Page 8 - Journal 2018A

Space - An Education Frontier
Report on the 68th International Aeronautical Congress (IAC2017)
Dr Jane Wright, SASTA Board
The 68th International Aeronautical Congress attracted approximately 4,000 delegates from around the world. Twelve
South Australian educators were enabled to attend the congress as part of a generous scholarship scheme (see end of article for details). The following is a brief overview (in their own words) of the experiences shared by the scholarship recipients.
The Opening Ceremony
The Congress was a celebration of all things space related, not just space science. This was made clear right from the opening ceremony of which, Vanessa Fay (SASTA President; Australian School of Mathematics and Science, ASMS), wrote:
The program commenced with a vivid presentation by a talented group of indigenous Kaurna people, whose intricate dancing culminated in the lighting of a re using traditional methods of re lighting as a welcome to the more than 4000 International Astronautical Congress registrants. Their welcome was followed by an atmospheric rendition of ‘Jupiter’ by the Adelaide Youth Orchestra.
The Overall Program
Regarding the overall program, Vanessa went on to relate:
A rich and varied programme was presented, including internationally renowned speakers like Elon Musk. Over 1,750 authors from
70 countries worldwide presented their
latest research; newest innovations; and their vision for the future of space. The programme contained 179 technical sessions covering all aspects of space; 13 keynote lectures; 1,600 oral presentations; 400 interactive presentations, and an interactive presentations award ceremony.
With over 20 technical space sessions
running in parallel over ve days, as well as plenary sessions and keynote speakers, some teachers were overwhelmed by the choice and the calibre of the presentations as indicated by John Roy, Adelaide High School:
I sat at the opening ceremony listening to Adam Spencer [ABC National Radio host] reel off the names of dignitaries that were involved in this congress while shaking in disbelief. The list was phenomenal. The rst of the sessions was a plenary involving the Heads of the organisations represented at the congress including Lockeed Martin; Airbus; the European Space Agency; NASA; and
the Chair of the International Astronautical Federation to name a few ... esteemed company indeed! The topics addressed throughout the congress were as diverse as the space industry itself. Space law, language, insurance issues, standards, propulsion, construction, gravity, life sciences, commerce agencies...the list went on and on.
An occasion to inspire and excite
There were many opportunities for teachers to learn from and discuss their work with other educators. Sometimes this was at an informal level after talks and during breaks. At a formal level, there was an entire symposium devoted to Space Education and Outreach.
It was great to see how other educators from other parts of the world are using space science as the context for STEM learning.
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