Report on the European Space Agency’s Educational Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Fostering Quality Education through Space Exploration

The European Space Agency (ESA) “Teach with Space” initiative is a strategic educational programme designed to support primary and secondary level STEM education. By leveraging the inspirational context of space, the initiative provides educators with innovative classroom resources and professional development opportunities. This programme is fundamentally aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education, aiming to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It also supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by cultivating a future workforce equipped with critical STEM skills.

International Teacher Training Programme: A Commitment to Global Partnerships

Programme Overview and Objectives

ESA has historically offered international teacher training workshops to professional educators from all ESA Member States and cooperating nations. The primary objectives of these workshops are:

• To guide teachers in the effective use of space-themed classroom resources.
• To enhance the teaching and learning of STEM subjects.
• To foster an international community of practice among educators.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The international training programme directly contributes to several SDGs:

1. SDG 4 (Quality Education): Provides high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) to educators, enhancing their pedagogical skills.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Offers equal training opportunities to teachers across a wide consortium of nations, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
3. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Creates a robust network of European educators, strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development through shared educational goals.

Strategic Programme Update

As of June 2025, the in-person international teacher training programme will undergo a strategic pause. This period will be utilized by ESA to re-evaluate and redesign its training offerings. The goal is to develop new, impactful STEM training opportunities that empower educators to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers who will be crucial in addressing global challenges, including those outlined in the SDGs.

Sustained Educational Support and Future Initiatives

Annual Online ‘Teach with Space’ Conference

ESA remains committed to teacher support through its annual online ‘Teach with Space’ Conference held every July. This virtual event ensures broad accessibility and continued engagement. The conference allows participants to:

• Explore interdisciplinary STEM educational resources.
• Engage with ESA experts on topics such as Earth observation, space exploration, and space science.

This initiative strongly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by disseminating knowledge gained from Earth observation technologies, which are vital for monitoring environmental health and climate change.

National-Level Support: The European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) Network

Localised Training for Maximum Impact

ESA extends its educational support to the national level through the ESERO network. The ESERO project is a cornerstone of ESA’s strategy to support SDG 4 by tailoring educational resources to local needs. Key features include:

• Curriculum Alignment: Training courses and resources are adapted to national school curricula.
• Language Accessibility: All support is provided in the national language(s), removing barriers to access.
• Accredited Development: Where possible, training is officially accredited as Continual Professional Development (CPD).
• National Partnerships: ESERO collaborates with national institutions, reinforcing SDG 17 by building strong local partnerships.

By localising its approach, the ESERO network ensures that the benefits of space-based learning are deeply integrated into national education systems, thereby maximising the long-term impact on quality education and sustainable development.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article focuses on the “ESA Teach with Space” initiative, which is dedicated to providing training and resources for primary and secondary level teachers. Its primary goal is to support “the teaching and learning of STEM disciplines in the classroom,” directly contributing to improving the quality of education. The initiative offers teacher workshops, online conferences, and a wealth of classroom activities to enhance educational practices.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The program is a collaborative effort involving numerous countries. The article states that the workshops are open to teachers from all “ESA Member States … and also Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia.” Furthermore, the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) network operates through collaboration with “national partners and institutions” to deliver training tailored to national curricula. This multi-country and multi-stakeholder approach exemplifies a partnership for achieving educational goals.

Specific Targets Identified

Targets for SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.c: “By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training…”
   • The article directly addresses this target by describing international teacher training programs (“ESA Teach with Space international in-person teacher training programme,” “online Teach with Space Conference”). It aims to improve teacher qualifications by guiding them in the use of “inspiring and innovative classroom activities” and offering courses that are “officially accredited Continual Professional Development (CPD).”
2. Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
   • By training teachers to better deliver STEM education, the initiative aims to improve the skills of their students. The focus on “STEM disciplines” is intended to equip the “next generation of Earth and Space explorers” with the technical and scientific skills necessary for future employment in these fields.

Targets for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.6: “Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing…”
   • The ESA’s initiative is a form of regional and international cooperation focused on science and technology education. It facilitates knowledge sharing by providing teachers from multiple countries with access to “a wealth of different classroom activities and resources that make use of space topics.”
2. Target 17.16: “Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…”
   • The ESERO network, which works with “national partners and institutions,” is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. This network mobilizes and shares ESA’s knowledge and expertise, tailoring it to national contexts to support educational goals across Europe.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicators for SDG 4 Targets

• For Target 4.c: The article implies progress can be measured by the number of teachers participating in the “teacher workshops” and the “online Teach with Space Conference.” Another indicator is the availability of accredited training, as the article mentions that “courses are officially accredited Continual Professional Development (CPD).”
• For Target 4.4: An implied indicator is the number and variety of educational resources developed and distributed. The article refers to a “wealth of different classroom activities and resources” and “STEM educational resources and interdisciplinary projects.”

Indicators for SDG 17 Targets

• For Target 17.6 & 17.16: The article explicitly lists the number of participating countries (“ESA Member States … and also Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia”). Another implied indicator is the number of national partnerships established through the ESERO network, which collaborates with “national partners and institutions.”

Summary of Findings

Source: esa.int