Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.

The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. The weeks helps build up the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring students; demonstrates visible public support for the space programme; educates the public about space activities; and fosters international cooperation in space outreach and education.

According to reports, 20-22 per cent of the entire space industry workforce consists of women, as such the  2021 theme was  “ Women in Space “. The week brought more awareness of gender diversity in the space sector. There are a lot of programmes globally that promote women’s empowerment in space such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). UNOOSA asserts that to succeed in “ addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and work towards the 2030 Agenda, we must ensure that the benefits of space reach women and girls and that women and girls play an active and equal role in space science, technology, innovation, and exploration “

To celebrate space week, we partnered with the Greater Tzaneen Community Foundation to host a week full of activities to inspire students and educate the public about space activities. We hosted three schools  Mokopane Primary, Tshikuwi primary and Ramotlhale primary for a fun, interactive, week of activities. The learners enjoyed few workshops that introduced learners to space. They learned about the solar system, planets, and indigenous celestial body names and their meaning. The learners were introduced to 3D Modelling program offered by Airbus Foundation for learners aged 10+ in the MENA region, Africa, and Asia to instill in youth the passion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) . The learners learned  about Mars exploration, the moon camp and what it takes to build one .They had an opportunity to build an aeroplane, and a rocket using 3D modelling.

The schools will be entering the #Mooncamp challenge, which is an education project run in collaboration between the European space agency (ESA) and the Airbus Foundation, in partnership with Autodesk. It uses innovative learning technologies to challenge students to design their own Moon settlement with a 3D modelling tool (Tinker cad or Fusion 360). It also features preparatory classroom activities that focus on learning by-design and science experimentation".For more information about the moon challenge click on the link HERE

A big thank you to our STEAM implementing  partners Airbus Foundation, UNICEF South Africa, and The Little Engineer