Bluesteel
09-15-2009, 01:15 PM
One thing that has struck me that PERMANENT could gain a leading role in is the promotion and maybe even provision of Space Sciences education and qualifications.
If the public is to become more space minded and aware of what is possible now and in the near term, we need greater provision of Space Sciences Education at all level.
Now I haven't researched in detail as far as the USA is concerned, but in the UK there are a few University Courses that run elements of Space Science in with their Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics degrees, but not many. As for specific part-time courses there are next to none. Luckily here in the UK we have the Open University which allows a student to piece together Degrees from various modules, so I am able to construct, more or less, a Space Sciences degree from Astrophysics, Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, GeoSciences, Physics and various other odds and sods. But this isn't widely available to those outside the UK and it's not exactly a cheap option.
We do of course have the National Space Centre in the UK, but the education element is largely aimed at the Primary sector. What's needed is a flexible study system ending with internationally recognised qualifications in the Tertiary sector for full time and part time. I think the Uni's will in time offer a good base for full time studies. But those wanting part-time study for interest and/or career change purposes, there is a lack of provision. Yet from what I can see there is no lack of capacity, with plenty of quality online Space Advocacy groups and off-line ones such as the British Interplanetary Society with a great width and depth of expertise.
If a good selection of basic courses to Certificate, Diploma and eventually Degree Level could be established this might go a long way to promoting near term Space Science awareness and produce a healthy income steam for such organisations - provided it was priced at the right level.
CBT tools are now significantly advanced to allow a lo of provision online (even the OU is moving more to an online, MultiMedia operation), so I think a good foundation course is their to be crafted.
So has anyone any ideas as to contents?
Julian
PS The USA does appear to have an equivalent to the OU:
http://www.apu.apus.edu/Academics/Degree-Programs/index.htm
Which does offer 'Space Studies'. It's not very clear on total costings but at $250 per hour it doesn't look cheap.
If the public is to become more space minded and aware of what is possible now and in the near term, we need greater provision of Space Sciences Education at all level.
Now I haven't researched in detail as far as the USA is concerned, but in the UK there are a few University Courses that run elements of Space Science in with their Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics degrees, but not many. As for specific part-time courses there are next to none. Luckily here in the UK we have the Open University which allows a student to piece together Degrees from various modules, so I am able to construct, more or less, a Space Sciences degree from Astrophysics, Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, GeoSciences, Physics and various other odds and sods. But this isn't widely available to those outside the UK and it's not exactly a cheap option.
We do of course have the National Space Centre in the UK, but the education element is largely aimed at the Primary sector. What's needed is a flexible study system ending with internationally recognised qualifications in the Tertiary sector for full time and part time. I think the Uni's will in time offer a good base for full time studies. But those wanting part-time study for interest and/or career change purposes, there is a lack of provision. Yet from what I can see there is no lack of capacity, with plenty of quality online Space Advocacy groups and off-line ones such as the British Interplanetary Society with a great width and depth of expertise.
If a good selection of basic courses to Certificate, Diploma and eventually Degree Level could be established this might go a long way to promoting near term Space Science awareness and produce a healthy income steam for such organisations - provided it was priced at the right level.
CBT tools are now significantly advanced to allow a lo of provision online (even the OU is moving more to an online, MultiMedia operation), so I think a good foundation course is their to be crafted.
So has anyone any ideas as to contents?
Julian
PS The USA does appear to have an equivalent to the OU:
http://www.apu.apus.edu/Academics/Degree-Programs/index.htm
Which does offer 'Space Studies'. It's not very clear on total costings but at $250 per hour it doesn't look cheap.