James Webb Space Telescope as a context for classroom teaching

Where could teachers find a first edition of Copernicus’ De Revolutionibus, an “image slicer” and a video link with engineers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre? 25 physics and chemistry teachers, and one technician, – from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - found them at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh. The two day CPD event on 11 and 12 June, supported by ESERO-UK, explored the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as a context for classroom teaching.

The James Webb Space Telescope, due to launch in 2018, will be the successor to Hubble and is a collaborative venture by NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA). Professor Gillian Wright, CBE, Director of the Science and Technology Facility Council’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre which is based at the observatory, leads the ESA consortium which is providing the Mid Infra Red Instrument (MIRI), one of just four instruments that will be on the telescope. Professor Wright led the first day of the course and gave an overview of JWST and MIRI.

Image: Stephen Todd, Optical Engineer on JWST, demonstrates the “image slicer” technology.

Other sessions explored spectroscopy, astronomy, rocketry and using materials in space in more detail. Scientists and engineers from the MIRI team gave insights into the aspirations and challenges of the project. Presenters from The Royal Observatory Edinburgh Visitor Centre, National Space Centre and the Scottish School Equipment Resource Centre ran classroom-ready activities to stimulate teachers to develop their own way of tapping into the inspiration of the JWST mission.

The observatory is steeped in astronomical hi-tech and heritage in equal measure. During a tour of the site teachers were awestruck by the Crawford Collection of historical astronomy books and visited the optics lab to see a demonstration of the “image slicer” technology that will enable JWST to analyse the atmospheres around exoplanets – and perhaps find the telltale signs of life. At the end of the first day, Professor Wright led a video link with UK ATC and NASA engineers at the Goddard Space Flight Centre, where MIRI is now undergoing further tests.

The teachers received National Science Learning Centre Enthuse Awards to enable them to attend the course. All teachers, teaching assistants and technicians from state funded schools, academies or colleges in the UK may be eligible to receive an ENTHUSE Award to contribute towards costs of participation on courses at the National Science Learning Centre.

This course has a two part format and the teachers will be gathering again at the National STEM Centre in York in October to share the activities that they have developed, inspired by the Edinburgh event.

Image: Teachers try their hand at spectroscopy at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh.

Dan Hillier, Visitor Centre Manager, Royal Observatory Edinburgh
ESERO-UK Space Ambassador for Scotland

Image credits: Jason Cowan, UK ATC