Life Beyond--A Program to Use Astrobiology to Teach Science and Advance Space Exploration through Prisons

The field of astrobiology is concerned with the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the Universe. It contains within it civilization-level questions such as: What is the future of humanity on Earth and can we successfully explore and settle other planets? As such, it offers an educational framework for both teaching basic science and for engaging individuals in questions about how society can take on its biggest challenges and opportunities. Life Beyond is a collaboration between the UK Centre for Astrobiology and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to take astrobiology into the prison environment. Using a pilot program across four Scottish prisons, a 4-week astrobiology course focused on designing a station for Mars was developed. Learning outcomes ranged from improvements in literacy, numeracy, and science skills to enhancing civic responsibilities. The results of the initiative are products such as Mars station designs, essays, and art, providing participants with tangible outputs. We describe the pilot initiative, the 4-week Life Beyond course, and draw conclusions about the use of astrobiology as a vehicle for teaching science and advancing social reform in the prison environment.