Welcome to the InspireSpace forum!

Welcome to the InspireSpace forum! My name is Rob Guinness, and I'm one of two Regional Coordinators for the North, Central America, and Caribbean region of SGAC (Daniel Porras is the other) and one of two coordinators for the InspireSpace project (Daniel is the other).

InspireSpace started as an idea that I threw out to the Education working group of the Space Generation Congress in Vancouver in 2004. Since then, it has percolated from a "good idea" to a "REALLY good idea" but has yet to become a REALITY. We need your help to make this happen!

Here is a basic description of the project that I put together awhile back:

InspireSpace is a novel, grassroots space education program. The program's intent is bidirectional:

1. to inspire members of the global space community to more actively engage the general public

2. to inspire the general public, especially children, through presentation of space topics, to more strongly support space exploration. Members of the space community begin their involvement by pledging to give at least one civic presentation on a space topic of their choice to an audience of their choice.

This program is unique in its global nature, managed through the web and a global space activism organization (Space Generation Advisory Council). It also incorporates a simple yet novel idea, where participants are not only required to commit to giving a space presentation, but also to find two peers who are willing to make the same commitment. In this way, the program will spread in a grassroots manner.

Finally, InspireSpace will motivate participants through a ranking system, which rewards participants based on their level of involvement. Winners of periodic ranking contests will receive exciting prizes and acknowledgment for their achievements. InspireSpace's goal is not only to educate, excite, and inspire the general public, but also to inspire the global space community."

There are lots of areas that we need help, so if you're interested, please just let us know by making a comment below! Also, feel free to contact me by phone at +1 281 461-5655.

Thanks,
Rob

Dear Rob,

Upon reading your project, I believe it is an excellent idea. I too have often mused on the deficit of space education and outreach, and how it is possible that the majority of society fail to see the wonderment and potential of space that we do!
This is demonstrated by the alarming lack of students taking mathematical, scientific and engineering subjects to a higher level.

There are so many ways which the beauty and awesomeness of space could be portrayed to children and the public by those who are enthusiastic about it, we just need to organise ourselves and push forward.

I was thinking, how about the set up of a 'buddy' scheme, where top astronauts or space professionals each get involved with one or many schools/collages in their home county- so that both parties can interact and enthuse one another for mutual benefit. By following the achievements of someone from their own country who is doing so well, it may inspire children to believe that they can do it too!!

Good luck with your project- any help you need, just shout!

Angela (UK NPoC)