National Schools' Observatory/Spaceport

National Schools' Observatory

A proportion of the Liverpool Telescope's observational time is also set aside for use by UK schools through LJMU’s National Schools' Observatory (NSO). Over 500 schools are currently members, enabling thousands of primary and secondary school pupils to reach for the stars by bringing high quality astronomical images right into their classrooms. 

Spaceport

Furthermore, as part of its drive to make science both more accessible and fun, LJMU played an instrumental role in the development of Mersey Ferries' new £10 million visitor attraction in astronomy and space exploration, Spaceport. 
 
A permanent Spaceport exhibit showcases how schools can join the National Schools' Observatory and visitors can also see some of the latest Liverpool Telescope images for themselves. LJMU now hopes to increase its NSO member schools to 1,200 by 2007.
 
Professor Chris Collins, Director of the Astrophysics Research Institute, said: “If you want people to consider a career in science, you have to excite teachers and pupils in schools, as well as university students, and let them see something of the real work that scientists do. The experiences gained through the NSO and LJMU’s distance learning astronomy courses are as close to real astronomical research as it is possible for school children and the public to get.”