From February 24 to 28, 2025, the Cabinet of the Special Envoy, SGB Liseo, Strong Technical Education (STO) together with various primary schools and the Da Vinci Satellite team (DVS) from TU Delft will organize a special educational space program. This program is intended for VWO 4 students from Liseo and 8th-grade students from various primary schools on Bonaire.
Making Space Exploration and STEM Subjects Accessible
The aim of this initiative is to introduce students to STEM subjects and space exploration in an inspiring and accessible way. They will gain a better understanding of these fields and be encouraged to consider further education in science, technology, and innovation. Additionally, the program demonstrates how space exploration contributes to technological advancement, sustainability, and innovation in everyday life.
During the program, students will receive interactive lessons where they will learn about the Galileo ground station in Bonaire and how it functions. Through guided tours and presentations, they will discover how the station operates and how the collected data is applied in daily life. At the end of the week, the children will receive their certificates for successfully completing the space exploration program. As a cherry on top, they will do this as real astronauts with astronaut food.
Knowledge Exchange
To increase the impact of the program, teachers will receive special training. This enables them to use and share the teaching materials with future generations of students. Additionally, teachers from Sint Eustatius and Saba will also participate in this training, strengthening knowledge exchange within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
This educational program contributes to the further development of science and technology in the region. It offers students on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba a unique opportunity to experience space technology up close and discover the role that the Caribbean part of the Kingdom plays at an international level.