ESA Academy sponsors 24 students to join the ISEB Student Program at IAC 2024

The ISEB, a partnership among several international space agencies, is committed to promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) education, and developing a skilled future workforce to drive space exploration. Each year, the ISEB’s Student Program at the IAC provides a rich, immersive experience with cross-cultural events, presentations, and opportunities to directly engage with space leaders.

A Diverse, International Cohort

The 24 ESA-sponsored students, from 10 ESA Member States as well as from Lithuania and Canada, joined a broader group of 77 international students supported by the other ISEB members : Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC). This international cohort fostered an environment rich in cultural exchange and collaborative learning.

All the students were given the opportunity to present their research and projects in IAC sessions or during the ISEB program. One participant, reflecting on their experience, shared, “I feel so grateful and lucky that my first experience of the IAC was as part of the ISEB program. Being able to take on such an important week and present my research for the first time alongside so many other students is an experience I will never forget. I have returned from Milan with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of why space sustainability is so important."

A Week of Skill-Building Events

The program began with the ISEB Team Building Activity on Sunday, the day before the official start of the IAC. The Heads of Education from the different ISEB members introduced themselves during the Meet & Greet session and outlined their institution educational program goals and activities to the students.

That same day, students participated in a cross-cultural team-building session, where they were grouped with peers from other nations and tasked with collaborative challenges though a game that continued for the entire week. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to connect with students from around the world who share the same interests and to learn from their presentations,” said one student. “It was also an invaluable occasion to gain insight into the space industry, which boosted my motivation to contribute to one of these exciting projects. Without a doubt, this is an experience I would highly recommend to every student."

On Tuesday, students enjoyed a rare opportunity to meet with agency leaders during a dedicated ISEB Heads of Agency Student session. They interacted directly with the President of CSA, the Deputy Director of CNES, the ESA Director of Internal Services, the President of JAXA, and NASA’s Deputy Administrator. This session offered firsthand insights into the agencies' visions and provided invaluable advice on developing successful careers in the space sector. This ISEB activity was open to all students and young professionals attending IAC and was highly successful!

A particular highlight came on Thursday, when the ESA-sponsored students met with ESA Director General at ESA booth. Josef Aschbacher answered all their questions and shared with them personal stories and career tips. Later that day, students also attended the presentation of 4 students from the Technical University of Madrid who won the ESA Grand Prix of the Student Aerospace Challenge for their Phase-0 design of a Space Autonomous Reusable Module. “Attending IAC Milan 2024 was truly enriching. Connecting with other students and discovering the exciting projects shaping the space industry was invaluable,” said the presenting team.

To conclude the day, students joined a walking tour and scavenger hunt through Milan, which gave them a chance to experience the city’s rich culture and bond with their peers.

Supporting Future Space Talents

Through the ESA Academy Conference Student Sponsorship opportunity, ESA demonstrates its commitment to fostering the next generation of space talents. Through hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and a wealth of knowledge from space agency professionals, the ESA-sponsored students returned from IAC inspired and motivated to contribute to the rapidly evolving space sector.

In parallel to IAC and the ISEB Student program, the team leading the ESERO Italy project organised two IAC24 Teacher Professional Development Workshops at the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci (MUST) in Milan. ESERO Italy is a joint program of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the European Space Agency (ESA), with the support of a rich range of national organizations active in both the fields of education and the space sector.

On 17 October, the first workshop, co-facilitated with VSSEC, welcomed 77 teachers from lower and upper secondary schools in Lombardy. Together, these educators explored innovative teaching methods and resources using space to inspire students in STEM fields.

On 19 October, the focus shifted to primary education, as 15 teachers from various primary schools around Milan were invited to an Open Day at MUST and were offered a workshop focusing on strategies for introducing STEM concepts using space examples to foster kids’ scientific curiosity and inquiry-based skills and competences.