Two Ballakermeen High School students who won scholarships to the NASA United Space School this summer say the experience has changed their lives.
Josie McGarrigle and Sam Lancaster, who have just started their final year of A-levels, spent two weeks in Houston as part of a scholarship scheme created by ManSat 15 years ago. It was the first time that the same school had provided both scholars since ManSat started awarding two scholarships in 2007.
Josie and Sam joined teams whose task was to plan a mission to Mars. However, while the 'day job' was intense, it certainly wasn't a case of all work and no play.
'My time at space school was life-changing,' said Josie. 'My expectations were surpassed at every turn. As an aspiring physicist it was a great experience as the schedule encompassed many astrophysics lectures.
'My team focused on rover and space suit designs and the experiments we wished to do on the surface of Mars. We worked on it from Monday-Friday, 7.45am till 5pm, with field trips and lectures to break up the sessions.'
Josie, who lives in Farmhill, added:
'Being in such a close-knit team of people was such a rewarding experience and it creates a long-lasting bond; we now have regular Skype sessions and plan for a meet up next year for all 52 students.
'The activities included paintball, laser tag and a game of football against the NASA "all stars" – we won, even though they don't like to admit it. I particularly liked the culture fair; it was amazing to see how each country expresses its own culture. Sam and I did a traditional Manx dance and a song from the Bee Gees, and made Manx fudge - and chips cheese and gravy – for our new friends.
Sam, who lives in Onchan, said:
'The two weeks I spent at the USS are really going to be a tough act to follow in the remainder of my life. Every single aspect of the trip was enjoyable, from meeting several astronauts to making strong friendships with people from across the globe. My greatest highlight was being granted exclusive access to the Mission Operation Control Room at the Johnson Space Centre, used in the Apollo missions. I sat down at the flight controller's desk and it gave me the chills.'
The students thanked the Foundation of International Space Education, which runs the USS, their teachers at the school, mentors, host families and ManSat, for providing the scholarships.
This year was the last award overseen by Ian Jarritt, who retired in May as Chief Financial Officer, who is continuing to be associated with the company in a new role of Non-Executive Director.
Ian said:
'It has been an honour to visit the schools over the years and meet so many talented and dedicated students and teachers. Working with the schools for the competition to find the scholars has always been a highlight of the year, and Josie and Sam have continued the legacy of first-class students who have represented the Isle of Man and ManSat.'
Josie is studying mathematics, further mathematics, physics and English language at A-level and is aiming for a career in the study and research of physics. Sam, from Onchan, is studying mathematics, further mathematics, physics and chemistry and is looking to specialise in either physics or chemistry at university.
ManSat Chief Executive Chris Stott said:
'Of everything we do at ManSat each year, this is the one that gives us the most satisfaction. Some of our previous scholars have gone onto work within the space industry, or in related industries, and the contacts they gain during their time at the USS always prove incredibly useful.'
Minister for Education Tim Crookall MLC said:
'The ongoing commitment shown by ManSat in offering such inspirational and exciting opportunities for our young people is to be commended. Each year the students return home with incredible stories, of the experience gained, the knowledge learned, and the friendships made. Josie and Sam have done the Isle of Man proud and proved to be fine ambassadors for their school.'
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.
