Sheila Kanani: Planetary Scientist

Sheila Kanani is a PhD student in Planetary Science working on using data from the Cassini Spacecraft at the Mullard Space Science laboratory at University College London. In this STEMNET video, Sheila describes what happens in her workplace where every part of the spacecraft is designed, built and analysed with data being collected afterwards.

In the video, Sheila visits Key Stage Three students in a local school. She describes how comets are formed and then works with the students to create one in the laboratory. Using the format of a cookery lesson, Sheila provides a recipe for comets using some everyday ingredients. She rounds off the activity with a talk about why it is important to know what comets are made from and the secrets they can reveal - and possibly how organic life came about.

Sheila then answers questions from the students about how she became a space scientist and how they could get into space science themselves.

"These activities are designed to open their eyes to the possibilities in science and that can lead on to them to developing a love for science and that can help to push pupils towards a future career in science which is really important".

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx3vr