Sustainable Space

Sustainable Space is a multifaceted national-scale proposal led by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO). It employs space-related themes designed to (i) strengthen STEM literacy and competency amongst primary and post-primary students; (ii) provide customised continuing professional development for teachers; (iii) highlight career opportunities in STEM fields, notably the space domain and (iv) coordinate opportunities for dialogue amongst groups who would not previously have engaged with STEM subjects or space. The project is structured to provide interconnecting pathways to critical debate, co-creation, citizen science, the arts and inclusiveness, thereby broadening participation and equity of access. Key partners from across the country provide access to cohorts of individuals in their localities, or venues or experts, or expertise necessary for the success and longevity of the project. Opportunities and advice on how to consider the positive contribution of space to solving sustainability issues on earth, and on the sustainable use of space itself, are threaded throughout.
Sustainable Space addresses all the objectives of the Discover Call programme and in particular the space-related objectives of ESERO Ireland. It targets approximately 180,000 participants and takes advantage of lessons learned at BCO during the pandemic to reach underrepresented groups more effectively than was possible heretofore. Evaluation of the Impact of Sustainable Space is a key element of the project that will maximise impact throughout its operation and beyond. The legacy of the project will be the increased use of space-related content for societal and economic benefit.