World Science Week 2021: Celebrating Women in Space

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The United Nations General Assembly declared that WSW will be held each year from October 4th -10th. These dates commemorate two important milestones in space exploration namely:

  • 4th October 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus opening the way for space exploration.
  • 10th October 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

The selected theme for 2021 is Women in Space aiming to inspire young females around the world to pursue STEM studies and future careers in the space industry. The theme also celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women to science and the space sector. All Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools are encouraged to participate in World Space Week Malta Event (WSWME) by working on any project work that can be conducted both physically and or in digital format preferably relating to the theme above. Teachers can review the suggested list of films below (some of which relate to this year’s theme among many others) that can guide students in their project work/research. The IMDb rating and main elements outlined in each film are also provided:

Primary Schools (animated films)

  1. Over the Moon (2020) – PG – musical, sci-fi.
  2. A Trip to the Moon (1902) – not rated – short film, funny, no words.
  3. WALL-E (2008) – 5+ – sustainability, adventure.
  4. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014) – 10+ – documentary series, historical discoveries and the scientific method as a way to understand the world.

Middle and Secondary Schools

  1. Hidden Figures (2016) – PG – racism, mathematics, STEM.
  2. Contact (1997) – PG – humanity, space travel and aliens.
  3. Gravity (2013) – PG13 – Physics and astronomy.
  4. Arrival (2016) – PG13 – language and code.
  5. Jupiter Ascending (2015) – PG13 – sci-fi, aliens.
  6. Interstellar (2014) – PG13 – Science.

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Teachers interested in event participation are kindly asked to contact Ms Stephanie Maggi-Pulis (Head of Department for Physics at the Secretariat for Catholic Education) who is the National Coordinator for WSWME at stephanie.maggi.pulis@maltadiocese.org by not later than Friday 14th May 2021 outlining the planned project/ activity. It is suggested that each school participating in WSW, logs the project/activity for this event at http://www.worldspaceweek.org/events/add-event/ so that all local projects feature on the global list of events for Malta.