By Salah Eddine Salmi
By Salah Eddine Salmi
Rabat – Yassine Salmi, a first year baccalaureate student of Math Sciences at “Les Ecoles Scientifiques” in Temara, and originally from Tinghir, won the voting competition of Race to Space program along with nine other applicants.
The Moroccan Scientific Community Association in partnership with The US Embassy Rabat launched in April 2015 Race to Space competition for outstanding high school students who excel in Math and sciences.
The applicants were required to record a short video in which they explain a natural phenomenon or a scientific concept in a simple way in English. Hundreds of students from all over Morocco applied for this program, but only 20 made it the voting stage.
Yassine recorded a video in which he explained the concept of Gravity according to Newton’s laws. His video was among the 20 videos nominated finalists. After two weeks of voting his video got 1714 votes, a number that no one of the applicants could crack or even reach.
Mohamed Salmi, Yassine’s father told Morocco Word News: “Yassine is an excellent student at “ Les Ecoles Scientfique.” He is a persistent, smart, hardworking kid, and he ranks among the best students in Math Sciences at his school.”
“Since he was a little kid, he has always dreamed to be an astronaut; a dream that his friends and even some of his family members used to laugh at,” the father added.
But, Yassine took it upon himself to achieve his dream, and he never cared about what people think of him.
“His passion for science and astronomy grew gradually over the years as he become more addicted to science documentaries and books,” the father added.
Speaking to Morocco World News, Yassine Salmi said:”I would like to seize this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me from the beginning, and that includes my family, my teachers, my friends, and all the wonderful people who did not know me, yet they supported me and voted for my video.”
“I would never have made it without you all standing by my side. I would like also to thank all the participants, they all did a really great job”
According to the official website of Race to Space,“Space Camp is an interactive educational experience that brings theory to life through simulated training aboard the NASA Space Shuttle. Only five students will receive the scholarships to the Advanced Space Academy: a challenging mental, emotional and physical experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. All participant costs (including air and ground transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses) will be paid by the U.S. Department of State.”
