Giant space model hits the cities

Naming the planets could result in a £500 prize

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Monday, 14, May 2007 11:12

A giant model of the solar system is to tour the country to boost interest in science.

It is hoped that the national roadshow, launched by the Training and Development Agency (TDA), will encourage more people to choose physics teaching as a career.

The model - about the size of a Portakabin - will visit London, Brighton, Bath Coventry and Sheffield; five cities which have a particular need to fill physics teacher training places.

People will be given the chance to guess the names of the planets and if they win they will be handed £500 and an additional £500 for the local school of their choice, Andy Buck, a headteacher and member of the TDA board, told the Today programme.

Professor Peter Main, director of education and science at the Institute of Physics, welcomed the roadshow initiative and said that young people must be inspired by science lessons "in order to secure future scientific innovation" in the UK.

"Astronomy is one of the most inspiring parts of the science curriculum for many pupils," he said. "It's crucial that our children have creative and enthusiastic physics teachers, and this initiative will demonstrate how exciting modern science teaching can bring the subject to life."

Classical musician and radio presenter Myleene Klass, who is studying for an MA in astronomy and planetary science and launched the roadshow in London, said: "It's important that we challenge people's preconceptions about physics and physics teaching, showing that this is a colourful subject and one that's relevant to people's lives."

Last year the prime minister Tony Blair warned that the UK would fall behind other countries unless more young people opt to study science in schools. He argued that challenges the country faces "can only be beaten by motivated and dedicated scientists".