Educational Space Programme in collaboration with Da Vinci Satellite, SGB Liseo, and Sterk Techniek Onderwijs
From 24 up to and including 28 February 2025, the Office of the Special Envoy, SGB Liseo, and Sterk Techniek Onderwijs (STO) are organising a special educational space programme with several primary schools and the Da Vinci Satellite Team (DVS) of TU Delft. This programme is aimed at students from VWO 4 (Pre-university Education) of the Liseo and grade 8 pupils from various primary schools on Bonaire.
Making space and science subjects accessible
The aim of this initiative is to introduce students and pupils to science subjects and space in an inspiring and accessible way. This will not only give them a better idea of these subjects but will also encourage them to think about further education in science, technology, and innovation. In addition, the programme shows how space contributes to technological progress, sustainability, and innovation in everyday life.
During the programme, the students and pupils will have interactive lessons in which they are introduced to the Galileo ground station on Bonaire and learn how it works. Through a tour and presentations, they will discover how the station works and how the data collected are applied in everyday life. At the end of the week, the children collect their certificates for successfully completing the deepening in space travel. As the icing on the cake, they do this as real astronauts with astronaut food.
Knowledge exchange
To increase the impact of the programme, teachers receive special training. This will allow them to continue using the teaching materials in the future and share them with new generations of students and pupils. In addition, teachers from St. Eustatius and Saba will also participate in this training, as a result of which knowledge exchange within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom is strengthened.
This educational programme contributes to the further development of science and technology in the region. It offers schoolchildren on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba a unique opportunity to experience space technology up close and discover what role the Caribbean part of the Kingdom plays in it at an international level.