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School kids get their own research-class telescopes

March 17, 2004

School children throughout the UK will be able to see the most amazing astronomical images in the sky from the comfort of their classrooms by controlling two, remotely operated research-class telescopes.

British Entrepreneur Dill Faulkes and the Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees have today (March 16th) launched the Faulkes Telescope Project - a unique educational resource to ignite children's enthusiasm for science. Concerned by the declining interest in science and maths, Dill Faulkes, who attributes his own business success to the state education he received in these subjects, has funded the construction of two state-of-the-art robotic telescopes for use by schools.

The twin telescopes are located in prime astronomical observing areas - Faulkes North in Hawaii and Faulkes South in Australia - close to some of the world's most powerful professional telescopes. Because the telescopes are located in different time zones school children in the UK will be able to use them in daytime classroom hours. The telescopes are robotic and will be controlled over the internet. A web cam will show how the telescope is being controlled to focus on a selected object and the resulting images will be returned to schools in a matter of minutes. Schools simply book their timeslot; plan the work they want to carry out and take control of the telescope.

"The idea of giving British youngsters access to a world-class telescope immediately appealed to me," says Dill Faulkes. "I could see that spending a few million pounds making science and maths in schools more interesting would have much more effect on children than spending half a billion on truancy measures".

Prof. Ian Halliday, Chief Executive of the UK's Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council [PPARC] said, "Making research-class telescopes available to students in schools will bring the wonder of astronomy right into the classroom. Through real-time observing schools will have a unique resource through which to teach maths and science in an inspirational and exciting way".

Educational materials to help teachers plan the use of the telescope, both as part of the National Curriculum and beyond to stretch able students, are available as well as support from astronomers. Schools will be able to select their own projects or team up with local Universities across the country to take part in genuine research projects.

Some of the available projects include tracking near-earth asteroids, imaging galaxies and studying gamma-ray bursts - the most violent explosions in the Universe. Materials have been prepared for Key Stages 3 and 4 (ages 11-16 years) as well as for older groups at A-level, University and amateur groups, who will be able to use the telescope out of school hours.

These resource materials have been tested by John Cleveland College in Hinckley, Dill Faulkes' old school. Teacher Sue Thistlethwaite said "We are delighted to be involved in the telescopes project because they are instruments that can bring both Science and Mathematics alive for young people. They will support our mission to improve performance in these subjects and to involve young people outside of their studies as well. Finally, Dill Faulkes is an ex-student of the College and he is a tremendous role model for our students!"

Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)