MaxIQ Space partners Intelsat for Third Cohort of the Space STEM Program
Applications for the Space STEM program are now being accepted from teenagers all around the African continent, according to satellite communications provider Intelsat. This was revealed during the 25th Africa Tech Festival 2022, which is presently going on in Cape Town. The Space STEM program, a partnership between Intelsat and MaxIQ Space, is now in its third year. High school students are selected for the program from all around the continent, where they design, construct, and, for some missions, launch satellites into space.
Each kid receives a STEM kit as part of the virtual program, and they participate in online seminars led by space education experts. According to Intelsat, each program includes lectures, hands-on exercises, homework, and experiments.
“Encouraging students to pursue STEM careers is Intelsat’s way of helping to develop Africa’s next generation of scientists, engineers and space enthusiasts,” says Hans Geldenhuys, Intelsat director of sales, Africa. “We are honoured to play a role in the MaxIQ Space programme for now our third year.”
The telecommunications departments of 18 countries, including the US, who proposed the organization, formed Intelsat as a public-private cooperation in 1964. Each nation’s telecommunications company, which is also an Intelsat member, was in charge of maintaining the transmitting and receiving equipment. Within ten years, Intelsat had grown to include organizations from 86 different nations, and by 2001, there were members from about 150 different nations.
Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 18, be residents of Africa, have a passion for and knowledge of STEM, be clearly interested in everything “space,” have access to the internet via a smart device with a browser, be able to use a browser, and be fluent in English.
To apply, applicants must complete an online form and space-related quiz, and submit a short explanation of why they should be selected for the programme.
Applications close on 31 December.