Space competitions will inspire students

Stem subjects will benefit as youngsters are drawn to space-related fields and education, even as an older generation seeks to engage with the country’s space programme through the UAE Space Agency.

Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, greets guests during The National Space Programme announcement in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova for The National

ABU DHABI // The National Space Programme will play a key role in inspiring youth to get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Speakers at the launch of the programme on Tuesday said that by providing students with the opportunity to get involved in space exploration the contest would engage UAE youth in subjects they might not otherwise take an interest in.

Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, said they were using space to indirectly attract students to Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

“Competitions like these inspire students and get them hooked. We don’t tell them about the complexities of space study, but later on they learn about needing maths, physics, and other science subjects,” Dr Al Ahbabi said.

Mohammed Al Otaiba, Editor-In-Chief of The National, said that the programme's competitions would generate excitement not only among children but also adults.

“There is something about space, when you mention it eyes light up, in all age groups. The competitions now bring space within arm’s reach and make it accessible,” Mr Al Otaiba said.

With the space programme being open to any UAE student, he said the competitions were looking to include as much participation as possible. “This is a pan-UAE initiative looking to foster long-term partnerships.”

Attending the launch was Syeda Amna, who was covering the event for her high school’s newsletter. “It feels like a dream. All of a sudden you get an opportunity to go to the US to see your experiment launched. I am definitely applying,” said the 16-year-old from Cambridge High School in Abu Dhabi.

Syeda said her friends would also apply.

“It motivates young people to follow careers they are interested in, rather than following the mainstream careers laid down by others.”

Peter McGrath, director of global sales and marketing at Boeing Space Exploration, said the success of the first Genes in Space competition in the US proved the programme could encourage youth to engage with Stem subjects.

“What we have found first hand is space really inspires our youth and motivates the next generation of science, engineering and maths students,” Mr McGrath said.

With The National playing a leading role in launching the programme, Mr McGrath said the UAE competition would have a head start over the US version, which drew media coverage only during the award announcement. "When you have domestic media partners who can share the information to the public from the start, it gives more students a chance to get involved."

Mr Al Otaiba said it was the responsibility of The National to get the news of these experiments – usually confined to laboratories – out for everyone to see.

“We need to, and do, inform, inspire and engage the readers and the public.”

The National Space Programme was just one of the many space initiatives the UAE was using to inspire students, Dr Al Ahbabi said.

“We are bringing astronauts to classrooms, running space camps, giving students scholarships to study in space-related fields, and much more.”

He said the interest in space in the Emirati community had increased noticeably, with more people applying to study in space programmes and for jobs with the UAE Space Agency.

“I even had a father come in and tell me his son had to be the first Emirati sent to Mars. Even when we told him it was an unmanned mission, he insisted on writing a letter saying he had to be the first when the time came.

“It shows how motivated people are about space.”