An interactive educational website dedicated to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope will encourage Australian school students to reach for the stars.
Launching the SKA website developed by Questacon, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Richard Marles, said while the website is aimed at school aged children, especially those who are considering further studies in astronomy, it is really designed for the world.
Parliamentary Secretary Marles said he hoped that by the time the SKA project is complete in 2020, school children that visit the site may be inspired to follow careers in astronomy or perhaps decide to work on the SKA itself.
“This new site will generate a great deal of interest in the SKA. It features resources for teachers and downloadable content and will be a valuable education tool dedicated to Australian space and astronomy,” Mr Marles said.
“There are engaging and exciting features including downloadable mobile phone ringtones and wallpapers, as well as videos featuring interviews with some of Australia’s top astronomers.
“The Australian Government has committed more than $200 million to the Australian SKA Pathfinder and the Pawsey HPC Centre for SKA Science and we are also investing in education projects like this new website to encourage interest among young people in science and the SKA, wherever they are.
“This is a hugely exciting project and we hope that by developing a range of education and outreach programs, young Australians in particular will follow its progress and, in doing so, enrich their understanding of our place in the universe.
“I would like to commend Questacon for designing this fantastic new website and hope that visitors find it engaging and educational,” Mr Marles said.
For more information on the SKA radio telescope visit the new interactive website www.ska.edu.au
Media contacts: Pauline Braniff, Marles’ Office, 0419 664 016
David Luchetti, Department, 0411 021 135