Space is a subject that appeals to people of all ages, and one of the National Space Society of Australia's aims is to cater for that interest. That's easier said than done when you consider the breadth of the topic and the fact that as people get older, the things they find interesting also change. Since we believe space is for everybody, NSSA wants to encourage that interest in people of all ages, in all walks of life.

One of our most successful endeavours has been the establishment of a chapter at the University of New South Wales, run by and for UNSW students. Other chapters have their own strengths and orientations, such as the focus that the Central Coast Space Frontier Society has on families. Now, the Society is proud to announce the formation of the NSSA Education Chapter.

This is a new initiative which follows on from our extremely successful presentation of Australian astronaut Andy Thomas to schools in the Western Sydney region last September. The NSSA Education Chapter is at present in the pilot project stage, designed initially for secondary schools in NSW. As the Chapter matures and we acquire people with the skills and interest to contribute curriculum-based classroom materials for the rest of Australia we will broaden the chapter to cover secondary schools across the nation as well as extend to upper primary schools.

The objectives of the NSSA Education Chapter are:

• Fostering an interest in space amongst secondary students
• Providing science teachers with curriculum-related support materials for teaching space
• Providing suggestions for local activities to enhance the experience of learning about space
• Running activities with an inter-school scope
• Organising noteworthy speakers when available
• Networking with teachers and other people interested in space, in both formal and informal settings.
• Coordinating International Spaceweek activities
• Running space-specific inservices for science teachers
• Giving discounted rates to students who attend NSSA events
• Giving free admission to school club coordinators who attend NSSA conferences
• Providing work experience opportunities for students
• Supplying a club newsletter and calendar of events as well as NSSA publications

As classroom materials are developed they will be sent out to member schools and teachers. We accept NSSA Education Chapter memberships from schools as well as from individual teachers. Benefits and Fees

NSSA is committed to fostering an interest in space in all people and we believe it is extremely important that school participation in the Chapter should give the students a positive attitude towards space and space exploration without creating extra work for the teachers. If you are a teacher with an interest in space and are willing to be the coordinator for your school, which means receiving the material we send you, disseminating that which is appropriate for the students and organising your school's participation in other Chapter-sponsored events, please get in touch with us. If you are, or your school is, currently a regular member of NSSA in NSW, we will be happy to convert that membership to NSSA Education Chapter membership at no additional cost, although renewals will be at the appropriate renewal rate.