A scientist from one of the world’s top technological universities is to give a presentation on how space technology can benefit people on Earth.

Danielle Wood of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will talk about how space technology can be used to help humanity and promote the United Nations sustainable development goals.

She said schoolchildren involved in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths were particularly welcome to attend her presentation, along with the general public.

Dr Wood is an assistant professor in MIT’s media arts and sciences programme and holds a joint appointment in the university’s department of aeronautics and astronautics.

She is an expert in social development with a background that includes satellite design, Earth science applications, systems engineering and technology policy for the US and emerging nations and is head of the new Space Enabled Research Group at the MIT Media Lab.

The mission of the Space Enabled Research Group is to “advance justice in Earth’s complex systems using designs enabled by space”.

The group’s research uses design thinking, art, social science, complex systems, satellite engineering and data science to increase the use of space technology to help sustainable development.

The team also collaborates with others, including national and local governments, charities, and private industry to identify opportunities to use space technology in their work.

Dr Wood’s talk, which the Department of Energy helped to organise, was announced after the launch of Government’s first space and satellite website, www.space.gov.bm, designed to help the home affairs ministry’s effort to promote Bermuda as a base for space and satellite industries.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said: “As we move towards the future of advertising the space and satellite capabilities in Bermuda on a national platform, we must remember to educate and inspire the study of this at home.

“I am pleased to welcome Professor Wood and am looking forward to her talk. I know it will be very beneficial to the Bermuda public.”

The home affairs ministry will also organise two “space camps” for 11-14 year old public schoolchildren in August.

• Dr Wood’s lecture, on how “technology from space helps keep us safe on Earth”, will start at 6.30pm today at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. Entrance is free