What does the future hold for education in the space sciences?
More than half a century ago, inspired interest in space exploration was remarkably high among the general public, as humanity’s attention was held rapt by the race to the Moon. However, in the 21st century, the public face of space science is less the astronaut than the physicist and astrophysicist.
When young people wish to learn of space science, they learn of the Big Bang and gravity-centric cosmology. They must try to make sense of concepts such as warped space-time, infinities and singularities. They’re told of a Universe that is 96% dark, comprised of matter and energy that are unproven, invisible and “poorly understood.”
However, today we know that more than 99% of the universe is composed of plasma. This universe is not “dark,” it is alight with electric currents. And the physical mechanisms that spark the phenomena we see have been replicated for many decades in laboratories on Earth. Thus, one can see the potential for the electrical cosmology to inspire a new generation, through concepts that are both understandable and demonstrable.
Recently, we have engaged with an Electric Universe advocate who has made it his mission to introduce the young and curious to the ideas of the EU. His name is Benjamin Hyde, a television news science presenter at KSTU-FOX 13 Salt Lake City, and prolific social media science creator.
We are excited to formally introduce Ben to the EU community in his Space News debut. Here he describes SPARK (Science Programs Aimed Right at Kids), and how his efforts to interest and inspire Generation Z in the sciences is flourishing.
Ben Hyde: SPARK | Science Programs Aimed Right at Kids
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