Two operational astronauts from Nasa will share their experiences and expertise with students at six Gems Education schools in Dubai, in what is the first official Nasa visit to the Middle East.

Nasa astronauts Captain Barry E ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Dr Robert L. Satcher Jr, who have recently returned from the 31st shuttle flight to the international space station, will visit the schools from February 21 to 24.

“Gems Education has made a clear commitment to integrating space studies into the curriculum,” said Andrew Gregory, planetarium director at GEMS World Academy, home to the only school-based planetarium in the region.

“Not only does study of the universe contribute to each student’s understanding of the world around them, it also helps to raise their aspirations, fuels their desire to know more, and ensures they look outward as scholars and individuals.”

In building this relationship with Nasa, Gems Education is working with the UAE-based Arab Youth Venture Foundation (AYVF), which is the only organisation in the Gulf with an official Nasa agreement to access and deliver educational content, created by Nasa. – TradeArabia News Service