UN highlights everyday benefits from space science and technology

Mazlan Othman, the Director for the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA ), used her message to mark the Week - which began today and runs until 10 October - to outline some of the improvements that space science has produced and the ways in which it might contribute in the future to tackling key global challenges, the UN News Centre reported.

"Coupled with advances made in other fields of science and technology, [space science] offers a wide range of specific tools and solutions that are transforming weather forecasting, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, disaster management and more," she said.

"Outer space is one of the most exciting and challenging topics, and perhaps of all the important topics on the agenda of the UN, none quite captures our imagination like outer space."

Education is a particular focus of the Week this year, with UNOOSA seeking to improve the ways in which space science is taught and incorporated to schools' curricula.

As part of the celebrations, UNOOSA and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ), in cooperation with the Bangladesh Astronomical Society, will be organizing a three-day workshop for teachers in Bangladesh to enhance their capacity to teach basic and modern astronomy in secondary schools.

The workshop, which will be held in the village of Enayetpur - also known as the Space Village for its year-round astronomy-related events - will allow participants to use state-of-the-art astronomical equipment, and observe objects over their laptop computer screens live from robotic telescopes situated in Hawaii and Australia.

Details also at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39930&Cr=science&Cr1 =