Two Isle of Man sixth-form students who attended NASA’s United Space School this summer through a ManSat scholarship have given a presentation to the Minister for Education about their adventures in Houston, Texas.
Christopher Clarke-Halewood from Castle Rushen High School and Alex Eaton from Queen Elizabeth II High School joined students from 21 other countries for two weeks after winning the scholarships, which ManSat has been awarding since 2000 in close cooperation with the Department of Education and Children.
Christopher and Alex attended DEC Headquarters at Hamilton House in Peel Road, Douglas to meet Minister for Education Tim Crookall MHK and each received a certificate marking their achievements.
ManSat Chief Executive Chris Stott said: ‘We hope Christopher and Alex worked hard, but also found the time to enjoy themselves. They followed in the footsteps of past scholarship winners who have represented the Island so well over the last 13 years. Previous scholarship winners have gone on to enjoy careers within the space industry, or related fields, and we hope their time at the USS has inspired Christopher and Alex to take their learning to the next level.’
The competition to win the scholarships is open to year 12 students at the DEC’s five high schools, and ManSat’s Finance Director Ian Jarritt will be visiting each of the schools over the coming few months to talk about the USS and invite entries for the 2014 scholarships.
Minister for Education Tim Crookall MHK said: ‘The scholarships offer an incredible opportunity for Island students to experience what so many past scholarship winners have described as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. There are only around 35 students from around the globe who take part each year, and listening to the presentations by Christopher and Alex it’s clear that both gained so much from their time in Houston and I’m sure they have memories that will stay with them forever.’
With the new school year underway, attention is turning to launching the competition to find the Island’s scholarship winners for 2014.
ManSat Finance Director Ian Jarritt explained: ‘Each year I visit the high schools during the autumn term to talk to year 12 students and outline what is involved, both in the competition and what they can expect to experience in Houston should they win a scholarship. I always give a taste of what the previous winners have done during their stay and I’m sure seeing what Christopher and Alex have had to say will inspire more sixth-formers to enter the competition.’
In addition to the USS scholarships, ManSat sponsors and supports the annual Spirit of Innovation competition for Manx high schools, in cooperation with the Pete Conrad Foundation. The company also awards an annual ‘ManSat Fellowship’ grant, for Manx students seeking to further their studies in space, and scholarships to programs run by the International Space University in Strasbourg.
Please visit www.unitedspaceschool.org for more information about the USS and www.mansat.com for details of the company’s scholarships.
Photo - Minister for Education Tim Crookall MHK (centre) presented certificates to students Christopher Clarke-Halewood (second left) and Alex Eaton, who spent two weeks at NASA’s United Space School this summer as winners of an annual ManSat scholarship competition. They are pictured with ManSat Chairman and CEO Chris Stott (left) and ManSat Director and Chief Financial Officer Ian Jarritt.
