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Street Cosmos Brings Space Inspiration to County Durham Primary Schools

Pupils across County Durham were given an unforgettable opportunity to explore space, science and future STEM careers through the Street Cosmos project.

RTC North is leading the delivery of Street Cosmos, a creative space engagement project funded through the ESERO-UK Space Innovation Fund. Delivered in partnership with Durham University’s Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, Space Hub North East England Skills & Outreach (SNEESO), STEM/Space Inspirations Ambassadors and local creative practitioners, the project is helping young people in underserved communities connect with the North East’s growing space sector.

Through a series of imaginative, space-themed activities, pupils are meeting researchers, scientists and STEM Ambassadors, discovering cutting-edge space research taking place close to home, and exploring complex space concepts in accessible and exciting ways.

RTC North is coordinating and delivering the programme, bringing project partners together, managing school engagement, supporting STEM Ambassador involvement and overseeing evaluation to ensure the project reaches young people who may not otherwise have access to opportunities of this kind.

As part of the project, Dr Meganne Christian recently visited three County Durham primary schools to deliver inspiring assemblies to pupils:

• Annfield Plain Junior School
• Bloemfontein Primary School
• East Stanley Junior School

Dr Meganne Christian is a materials scientist, polar researcher and member of the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Reserve. With a degree and PhD in industrial chemistry, she has carried out research into hydrogen storage and graphene-based materials, including experiments conducted in microgravity. She also spent a winter working as an atmospheric physicist and meteorologist at the remote Concordia research station in Antarctica. In 2022, she was selected for ESA’s Astronaut Reserve from more than 22,500 applicants and has since completed specialist astronaut reserve training.

During the assemblies, Dr Christian shared her career journey through science, engineering and space exploration, helping pupils see the many routes into STEM and the possibilities those pathways can open up. Her story highlighted the importance of curiosity, resilience, teamwork and problem-solving, showing how these transferable skills can lead to exciting and unexpected opportunities.

The visits were designed to inspire primary-aged pupils, broaden their understanding of STEM careers and provide a visible example of where science, creativity and determination can lead. By bringing space research and real-life role models directly into schools, Street Cosmos is helping young people imagine new futures and recognise their place in the region’s fast-growing space sector.

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