Juan David Latorre
The IES Las Musas, in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel, presented yesterday the educational project Las Musas y las Estrellas, a unique educational project in Europe, consisting of the construction and launching of a nanosatellite into space and subsequent analysis of the information obtained and the carrying out of environmental studies from satellite images.
The event was presented by José Antonio Expósito, director of Las Musas Secondary School, who highlighted the project’s objective of “sowing space with humanity”. “Dreams come true when they are truly dreamt,” he said. He ended his presentation by pointing out that the Las Musas y el Espacio educational project represented “a small leap for the institute and a great leap for education in our country”.
Enrique Ossorio, the Regional Minister of Education of the Community of Madrid, then took the floor and, addressing the students attending the event, said that “you are the true protagonists of this event. You represent the Madrid Brand: imagination, seriousness and good work”.
The German Ambassador, Wolfgang Dold, was the next to speak, pointing out that “aerospace education should be part of secondary education and get students excited about science”. “In this field, with the SpaceXyouth project,” concluded the German ambassador, “Spain, Israel and Germany are doing things right.”
For her part, the Israeli ambassador, Rodica Radian-Gordon, the true spirit of the project, thanked the dedication and enthusiasm put in by the institutions to which the project was presented last July and pointed out that “it is the students who, with their enthusiasm and excitement, have shown that the sky is not the limit. We hope that in the coming months other schools in other communities will join the project to further spread the truth that TEM studies are for those who want them, and that excellence begins with motivation”.
Finally, Isabel Celaá, Minister of Education and Vocational Training, took the floor to thank the organisers, the Las Musas Institute and the students for their exercise of responsibility in these times of pandemic, and because “this project extols the role of public education. There is no evolution without education, he stressed, and encouraging education from a young age makes society greater. None of this is possible,” the minister continued, “without the commitment and vocation of teachers. You are the lungs and soul of education, the cornerstone of the system. We need you to instil in students the desire to learn, to arouse their curiosity. To help pupils to discover their own interests and to develop their abilities to the maximum.”
The project was implemented by a group of secondary school students from the Institute supported by their technology teacher Victor Barbero and guided by Israeli aerospace engineers Dr. Ana Heller and Dr. Shimrit Maman. The aim of this initiative is to promote and encourage young people, especially girls, to have a passion for research and science with an innovative project that is at the same time a unique challenge in all respects and, of course, inclusive and inclusive. More information on this link.
