Successful Year 10 Work Experience Week
August 17, 2018
For a week in March, Goonhilly Earth Station hosted six enthusiastic and motivated Year 10 students on a full programme of all things 'Space & Satellites'.

Learning from skilled experts in fields such as Satcom Basics, Orbits, Electromagnetic Spectrum and Antenna Tracking gave them an insight into cutting edge technology whilst instilling a sense of awe and wonder regarding the history of telecommunications and the iconic steel 'Dishes of the Downs'.
Keeping their logbooks up-to-date gave opportunity to reflect on the day's events and record significant experiences and data. The week culminated with each group giving a presentation to GES staff, family and teachers, and delighting their audience with knowledge gained and newly found friendships.
With comments including 'There isn't a thing I would or could change to my experience as it was perfect and precise'; 'My work experience at GES has surpassed my expectations' and 'I wish I could spend much longer here', we are sure that Rory, Guy, Theo, Molly, Samuel & Jack enjoyed a stimulating week and invaluable experiences. They returned to their schools (Penryn & Mullion, Cornwall; Five Islands, Isles of Scilly; and Colstons, Bristol) full of inspiration, increased learning and a desire to pursue a STEM based career.
In 2022, Holly Holmes, a then-Year-10 student from Cornwall, attended a Summer School event here at Goonhilly. Now in Year 12, Holly has kindly taken the time to update us on the impact that her time with us has had on her studies, confidence levels, and plans for the future. Thank you Holly for sharing your experiences in this brilliant blog post! We’re thrilled to hear that the experience meant so much to you!

The above image, and those below, were acquired from NOAA 18 (on 137.9125 MHz), and NOAA 19 (on 137.100 MHz) during daytime passes here at Goonhilly. In preparation for our annual Summer School programme , Goonhilly’s Deep Space Network Operators have been busy preparing a project that will enable students to receive images from NOAA weather satellites. During the practical demonstration, students will be able to discover what the weather is currently doing across the North Atlantic and Western Europe. By repeating the receiving process several times, as the satellites pass over, the students will be able to track the weather over time, and predict how the weather here in Cornwall will change. In addition to equipping students with the theoretical and practical skills to receive real-time satellite transmissions for themselves, the project will also highlight the diverse ways in which we rely on Low Earth Orbit satellites in our everyday lives. Other projects and lessons planned for the attendees of the week-long programme will help them to learn about the different methods, materials, and techniques that make Goonhilly’s world-leading satellite communications work a reality. Here at Goonhilly, we believe in the value of a hands-on approach to complement theoretical learning. By preparing this project, the Deep Space Network Operations Team hopes to not only train valuable skills but also promote the enjoyment that comes from gaining knowledge via self-discovery. The team looks forward to offering the Summer School students an insight into what training as an Operator entails, and what it means to play a critical role in the UK’s future in space.

Visitors will be escorted at all times by a representative of GES and it is critical that you only access the areas on site that are relevant to the nature of your visit. Contractors working on site may not always be under direct supervision, so with this in mind you will be required to: Comply with your risk assessments and any additional safe working procedures. Report to your GES representative when you arrive and before you leave our site. Comply with all specific rules if working as part of a construction project. Work in a professional and considerate manner. Clear all generated waste and leave work areas in a safe condition.