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Twinkle is a UK-led space mission dedicated to studying the atmospheres of extrasolar planets.

In the Original Research By Young Twinkle Students (ORBYTS) program, secondary school pupils perform original research related to this space mission under the supervision of trained PhD students and other young scientists. Meetings between pupils and tutors occur every two weeks for the duration of the project (usually a full school year), adapting tasks to best suit the interests of the group and the progress of the research.

The ORBYTS program has so far engaged roughly 100 pupils from eight schools. We have published one research paper with pupil co-authors in the Astrophysical Journal Supplementary Series, with more coming soon!

Any outreach project like this requires funding to succeed and ensure sustainability.

Relatively small amounts do go a long way; each ORBYTS team only requires around £1500 and provides invaluable support in promoting STEM to secondary school pupils and their school!

If you are able to support us, please email orbyts@twinkle_mission.co.uk

Our Objectives

Widen participation from underrepresented group in STEM, particularly females and pupil premium students
Create a sustainable partnerships between schools and universities involving collaboration in cutting-edge peer-reviewed research
Address subject specialist teacher shortages by directly connecting schools and university researchers
Foster a mentality of creative problem solving, innovation and entrepreneurship within schools and the local community.
Involve school pupils in cutting-edge research
Increase scientific knowledge and technical skills valuable to the national economy

Key Benefits for Pupils

Pupils gain applied scientific and technical skills and knowledge, varying based on the specific project, but generally including computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Excel), astronomy and spectroscopy.
Pupils gain transferable skills, including research skills, debugging, “Googling”, asking well-posed questions, creative problem-solving, team-work, communication (written and presentation), independence and self-motivation.
Pupils develop increased confidence in their own abilities and skills.
Pupils experience increased engagement with the subject, with one student stating “ORBYTS has been one of the best experiences of my life”.
Pupils gain an appreciation and understanding of modern scientific research and of scientists, including their career options with a science degree.

Other Key Benefits

Develop the research, leadership and communication skills of PhD students
Help address diversity issues in the sciences
Expose PhD students to potential career opportunities in teaching, outreach and science communication.

Requested Funding

We provide remuneration for tutors at standard demonstration rates for 15 two hour sessions, including two hours preparation, totalling £900 per PhD tutor and £750 for undergraduate support tutor.
We organise opening and closing ceremonies which involves catering.
Each pupil has the option to apply for a CREST Award, currently £20 per pupil.
Support for administration tasks (recruitment, connecting schools with researchers, supporting DBS checks, organising opening and closing ceremony events, supporting tutors and schools).

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