The Foundation for International Space School Education’s United Space School 2022 brings together 39 top high school students and five mentors from 21 countries July 25-Aug. 7 in an interdisciplinary effort to design a hypothetical mission to Mars using current and future technology, per an FISE press release.
FISE, a 501(c)(3) private foundation founded in 2007, provides space-centric academic instruction and aerospace industry exposure to pre-university international students.
Engineers, scientists, astronauts and aerospace industry leaders volunteer to give presentations and mentor teams of school students, each responsible for an aspect of the mission. Program participants stay with host families near UHCL’s campus.
“Students experience the value of diversity in skills, background and culture in putting together a complex endeavor like going to Mars. By working together in five different teams that all have a collective goal, students see the value of developing international partnerships similar to what keeps the International Space Station flying,” said Glenn Johnson, United Space School director of education and a FISE board member, in the release.
The program includes a Culture Faire from 3-6:30 p.m. on July 31 at UHCL and Final Project Presentations from noon-4 p.m. on Aug. 6, both open to the public. The program finishes Aug. 7 with a graduation ceremony at UHCL.
“I’m always impressed with the impact that United Space School has in guiding these students’ scholastic and professional careers. The network that the United Space School community has built is something to be proud of,” said Alex Battaglia, FISE director of digital media for United Space School, in the release.
