From algebra to biology, there’s no doubt that the students of today have a range of subject options at their fingertips. But for some STEM-loving students, the truth is that maths and science only scratch the surface of the career path they want to follow after college.
With the rapid advancement of technology and the prevalence of conversations about climate change and space exploration, there are many good reasons why a space science education could fill that gap.
#1: Students can develop their hobbies in the classroom
Most STEM-loving kids enjoy finding out how robots work, building LEGO towers or studying stars and planets. In the space industry, these hobbies become careers in space programming, space architecture or space medicine — just to name a few.
When students are encouraged to follow their passion in the classroom, it builds their love of new learning experiences by providing a healthy environment to learn about subjects they enjoy. This love for lifelong learning is something every STEM professional needs to succeed, as the space industry is rapidly advancing.
Therefore, including space education in schools helps students develop their foundations for a fast-growing career.
#2: Students gain transferable STEM skills
A space science education opens up a world of opportunities in STEM, and not just because it involves specialist skills.
In fact, a space science education can help students gain in-demand transferable skills. These are also known as ‘life skills’ in areas like analytical thinking, communication, problem-solving and self-discipline. They can’t exactly be taught to adults like a technical skill can, but rather, are developed over time through practical experience.
Transferable skills are the skills space science professionals use every day. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics described those exact qualities — analytical thinking, communication and problem-solving — as “important” for aspiring astronomers and physicists.
#3: Students can learn to combine scientific methods with imagination
STEM students are already innovating things that could change our world forever, including self-sanitizing doorhandles, collector booms that remove oceanic waste, and pancreatic cancer detectors.
With a space science education integrated earlier in their learning journey, their understanding of scientific methods could fuel rapid advancements for the space industry. Education provides both the tools and inspiration for the next generation of innovation. Who knows: that could even include time travel one day!
