Isle of Man students are being encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial skills and enter this year’s Conrad Foundation ‘Spirit of Innovation’ awards.
For the third year running, Manx company ManSat is sponsoring teams from the Island’s high schools to take part in the competition, which offers budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to develop the products of tomorrow.
ManSat CEO Chris Stott explained: ‘The Spirit of Innovation is a fantastic initiative that challenges the students with real world business experience which is why we’re delighted to be involved with it again. For the past two years, our sponsored Isle of Man teams have been the first ever international teams to make it to the finals of global budding entrepreneurs.’
The Conrad Foundation was the brainchild of the late Pete Conrad, a space entrepreneur and Apollo astronaut. The Foundation is now run by his wife, Nancy.
Spirit of Innovation student teams are challenged to create innovative products or solutions in one of four industries: aviation and aeronautics; energy and environment; health and nutrition; and cyber-security and technology. It’s open to students aged 13-18 and full details can be found at: http://www.conradawards.org/.
Deadline for the 2012-2013 competition is October 24, after which judges will select semi-finalist teams in each challenge category. The semi-finalists will be invited to develop comprehensive business and technical plans of their product or innovation.
The finals for this year’s competition will take place from April 10-13, 2013, at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, the home of Mission Control.
Stuart Dobson, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education and Children, said: ‘The simplest ideas can often be those that change people’s lives and it’s fantastic that, thanks to the generosity of ManSat Ltd, which is a strong supporter of education, our students are again being encouraged to use cross-curricular work to dream up products and innovations and test them on a world stage.’
ManSat was the originator of the Island’s space industry following its formation in 1998 and continues to drive the sector forward. Working in partnership with the Isle of Man Government, its core function is carrying out satellite filing on behalf of the Isle of Man Communications Commission.
Over the last 12 years, ManSat has developed strong ties with the Department of Education and Children and Manx schools. Each year since 2000 the company has sponsored two scholarships to study for two weeks with the NASA United Space School in Houston, Texas.
This year’s recipients were Katy Myers, from St Ninian’s High School, and Rosie Watson, from Ramsey Grammar School, who this week were presented with certificates by the Minister for Education and Children, Tim Crookall MHK.
