Ecsite: Space for Today’s Challenges

Last week the European Network of Science Centres and Museums (Ecsite) came together for its annual #Ecsite2022 conference. This is one of the largest gatherings of science communicators in Europe. The Ecsite Space Group is an Ecsite thematic group that aims to improve and extend communication about space science by helping science centres, space professionals and non-specialists to develop collaborative projects and events. It forms an important part of the European space communicators community.

Space Communicators Pre-Conference

On 1 June 2022 the Ecsite Space Group held a pre-conference workshop, titled ‘Space for today’s challenges’, co-organised by the European Space Agency – ESA.

The central question of this workshop was: ‘In a time when we are all increasingly called upon to foster more sustainable futures, what role can space play?’

This question was discussed during the one-day workshop in the ‘experimenta Science Dome’ at the event venue in Heilbronn, Germany. Participants learned about the latest developments from ESA, national space agencies and industries. Then participants were invited to attend several hands-on sessions and pitches, to support them in creating connections, while working with the latest tools, data and expertise.

Excited to be at #ecsite2022 🌟 looking forward to meeting friends and colleagues face-to-face again and having some wonderful discussions and idea sharing! First up @esa @ESA__Education exploring space science communication 🚀 ✨ #EcsiteSpace @Ecsite #SciComm pic.twitter.com/rEqo7q87ln
— Mark Langtry (@MarkLangtry) June 1, 2022

As mentioned, many members of the space outreach community were part of the Ecsite event, including the education and outreach people of the first wooden satellite in the world, the wonderful Finnish Kitsat/WISA Woodsat:

Our tired, but happy team (+ one behind the camera) just before dismantling our stand at the #ecsite2022 exhibition. The event was the first international presentation of Kitsat outside the New Space community and really a blast for us.
See you @Ecsite next year in Malta! pic.twitter.com/BOI3qC4kK9
— Kitsat / WISA Woodsat (@kitsatellite) June 4, 2022

About the Ecsite Space Group

Since 2012, the Ecsite Space Group offers a platform to facilitate cooperation among science centres, museums, research institutions, universities, national space agencies and industries all over Europe. Together, they aim at better sharing European space activities with the general public. The group was established with the support of the European Space Agency, ESA. It now comprises more than 190 science centres and museums