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Join on Telegram Rabat – The US Embassy in Rabat in conjunction with the Moroccan Initiative for Space Industry (MISI) have announced the participation and substantial progress during the inaugural AMAZE Space Camp.
The camp targets Moroccan students aged 15-18 and offers an immersive, hands-on experience to spark an interest in space exploration and technology.
Led by qualified educators, the curriculum includes hands-on learning, interactive workshops, space simulators, and an analog mission to pique the students’ interest in science and technology.
The initiative has had a considerable response, attracting 1,646 applications from around Morocco, with a noteworthy 63% of applications from female students and the majority from public schools.
Following a rigorous multi-tier selection process that included essays, online selection exams, and interviews, 30 talented students were selected for AMAZE Space Camp, which was conducted at the 1337 School and UM6P venue in Khouribga, from July 10 to August 4.
These students are currently immersed in a diverse range of STEAM education activities, including rocket construction and astrobiology lectures, as well as forthcoming events such as space mission simulations, hands-on rover programming, and a culminating night of stargazing.
“Traditional teaching methods can often limit the expansive canvas of technology and space exploration to textbook confines,” said El Hassan Bouaghad, co-founder of MISI.
“Our belief is that we should not be spoon-feeding STEM to our students. Hence, our TEAMS (Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Science) and Teamwork approach focuses on hands-on activities that encourage curiosity, active learning, and shared knowledge within their communities,” he added.
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El Hassan further explained the objective is to develop these children not only as learners, but also as science and technology advocates, believing that by sharing their experiences and newly discovered interest, students inspire their peers and develop a space-focused mindset in future generations.
Ayesha Quirke, Deputy Cultural Attache at the US Embassy in Rabat, explained: “We are honored to collaborate with MISI in hosting the Amaze Space Camp, a beacon for igniting a passion for space exploration among our Moroccan participants.”
For the organizers, a key objective of this project is to motivate the future generation to seek educational and employment prospects in the “fascinating” space sector.
The Moroccan Initiative for Space Industry (MISI) is the result of the collaborative vision and efforts of young scientists, engineers, space industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiastic STEAM outreach program administrators.
MISI’s mission is to use its members’ knowledge in the space sector to develop and deliver “unique, engaging hands-on projects to students in Morocco and throughout the world.”
