Primary pupils will be learning all about space as they take part in a competition sponsored by the leading satellite company on the Isle of Man. The Department of Education and Children is teaming up with Douglas-based SES Satellite Leasing Ltd, part of the giant SES Group, to launch the competition in time for World Space Week (October 4 to 10). It’s the second year running that SES Satellite Leasing has supported projects in schools. Last year, a dozen teams of secondary students used project packs provided by the company in science lessons and after-school clubs to launch their own rockets and discuss their findings. The winning team, from Castle Rushen High School, enjoyed a trip to SES’s headquarters in Luxembourg, from where satellites are flown and monitored. This year it’s the turn of primaries to put together projects on space. Year 5 and 6 pupils can tackle the project any time up to 1st June 2012. Classes can present their projects on iPads, by making a film or by presenting a more traditional scrapbook – supplied by the satellite company – of work. Employees from SES Satellite Leasing will visit participating schools to answer questions as projects progress and the company has promised a great prize at the end for the winning class. Tara Orgar, Business Development Manager for SES Satellite Leasing, said: ‘Due to the success of last year’s competition, this year we would like to offer the same opportunity of a space-related project to primary schools. Our aim is to generate an interest and inspire learning in space and the space industry from an early age. We hope to grab children’s imagination and interest in this subject from an early age which hopefully will grow into a long-term career choice.’ Jo Callister, Advisory Teacher for the Manx Curriculum, said the project would complement many aspects of the curriculum, including English, art, history and science. ‘For younger children, space can be a difficult concept to understand but with the DEC’s new Essentials for Learning curriculum, which aims to inspire learners to flourish in life, there are so many areas of learning that can be easily linked to our Island’s thriving space industry. ‘Pupils will learn a lot from meeting individuals at the forefront of satellite technology and viewing images and objects from the industry and this will inspire their projects. ‘Secondary students’ commitment and interest in the competition sponsored by SES Satellite Leasing was exceptional and I am sure primary pupils will approach this competition with the same enthusiasm,’ Jo said. SES, which already operates a global fleet of 47 satellites, plans to launch 10 more satellites between now and the end of 2014. Each satellite costs between $150m and $250m and will have a life of 15 years, orbiting the earth above the equator at 36,000kms and serving the media, enterprise and commercial markets as well as governments. Ends