NEW’S | CanSat Junior Açores teacher training workshop held at Santana Astronomical Observatory

At the beginning of the month, a total of 16 teachers took part in the CanSat Junior Azores workshop, which marks the beginning of the second edition of this project in the Region.

The training took place at the premises of OASA – Santana Astronomical Observatory. It was organised by ESERO-Portugal/Ciência Viva with the collaboration of the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço), as part of a partnership between that institution and the Regional Government, through the Office of the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency.

CanSat Junior Açores is one of the actions included in the Azores Strategy for Space – Dissemination, Education and Scientific Culture for Space Axis.

Aimed at junior high school students, CanSat Junior consists of simulating a “real” space project: building, programming and launching a microsatellite equipped with data processing subsystems, sensors, a power supply and a communications system, conceptually identical to that of a real satellite. During the launch and descent controlled by a parachute, the small satellite the size of a soft drink communicates with a base station, also built and operated by the students.

The aim is to provide young people with the opportunity to take part in a collaborative, disruptive and transformative project. It combines space sciences and technologies with the general education curriculum, providing an enriching experience of true teamwork and also motivating young people to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers with a direct or indirect link to the aerospace sector.

Created in Portugal by the national delegation of ESERO, this second regional edition of CanSat Junior – taking place in Santa Maria in May – involves about 100 participants in a total of 15 teams from eight islands of the archipelago.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU