Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

Youth for Space Challenge - ODYSSEUS II

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - Odysseus II (Youth for Space Challenge - ODYSSEUS II)

Reporting period: 2017-01-01 to 2017-12-31

The future Europe as is envisaged, could never be a reality without inspiring the coming generations to scientific knowledge and education. Therefore, it is an imperative to cultivate and constantly monitor the eagerness of young people to become science aware, follow a scientific career; and when follow a scientific career seeking excellence in their endeavors.
In the last 20 years, Europe has become a technology pioneer through applications such as the Earth Observation and Galileo. Europe has invested in the exploration of space with cost-effective missions and supported collaborative initiatives with the European Space Agency securing its strategic role in this domain. Missions to Mars and similar exciting ventures continue to be an inspiration to many young Europeans. Studies have shown that, when asked if they would like to work in science and engineering, a majority of young people across Europe say ‘no’ – particularly girls and young women. Interestingly, the same young Europeans say ‘yes’ when asked if they are interested in “rockets, satellites and space travel”. Space activities are an excellent way to grab the attention of the scientific thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.
The Youth for Space Challenge - ODYSSEUS II project (www.odysseus-contest.eu) aimed to inspire young people for engaging them in space exploration, through a series of educational activities, which were combining scientific learning with hands-on experiences. Through the organization of a fun oriented educational contest, which was organized in multi rounds and which targeted all pupils and students in Europe and beyond, the project fostered the development of qualified scientists, engineers and technicians in areas relevant to the priorities of the EU space policy.
An important objective of the project was to involve national educational authorities and to engage with space industries and many science centres and space agencies across Europe on the exchange of experiences and knowledge on learning programmes related to space exploration. Furthermore, focusing in the creativity of young minds, the Odysseus II contest fostered the orientation of promising young pupils and students and to connect them with science teachers, experts and space industry professionals in a unique international educational network. In this context, the project created an extensive network of volunteer mentors, educational agencies, academic institutions and space industries, who fostered young pupils’ and students’ interest on space science and assisted with the preparation of projects and the organization of local events introducing space exploration to youth and supporting societal involvement in space technology and science. The structure of the Odysseus II contest also intensified international cooperation in promoting space science and technology among young people. The Odysseus II project promoted the winners and the top students and pupils as an inspiration for their peers and as role models of champions who have succeeded at international level.
The Odysseus II project succeeded to implement a space contest with thousands of pupils (Pioneers and Skywalkers) and students (Explorers) from all over the world participating and being engaged in space science and technology, developing high qualitataive projects, which especially in the categories of Pioneers and Explorers included theoretical knowledge combined with practical - technical implementation of novel ideas.
5.700 pupils and students from 51 countries submitted a project in the two cycles of the Odysseus II contest. In addition 3.414 teachers participated directly as coaches of these pupils (Skywalkers and Pioneers) and another 313 pupils and students, who registered in the contest, but finally did not submitted an entry before the deadline, raising the total number of participants to 9.427 an impressive number of mobilisation.
The contest was structured around three phases; national level-online contest; regional level- on the spot contest; international level - on the spot contest.
For both Cycles, nine (9) regional events (18 in total) were organised, lasting 3-4 days each. In addition three more one-day or half-day events were organized for Odysseus contestants who distinguished in their countries (Austria, Croatia, Portugal and UK), including lectures, presentations and visits to science centres.
High qualitative projects were presented by participants during the regional and final events.
The quality of the projects prepared for the contest and of the enthusiasm and skills of participants could be realized by viewing the live-streamed videos, of the presentations in the events:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WjzEtTOpEg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeICzVlEc6g
In all events participants attended lectures and workshops on space science and tecnology, visited space facilities and /or science centres and scientific laboratories and /or space agencies and industries. In the regional semi-finals organized in the two cycles of the contest 581 contestants took part in the events (367 pupils / Pioneers, 154 teachers, 60 students / Explorers). 63 participants took part in the other four half-day events organized in the context of the project, while the two final events were attended by more than 85 participants from 13 countries.
The Odysseus II project had a huge impact on four major issues:
a. Created awareness and expanded the boundaries of knowledge of young pupils and students about space science and technology, providing them with the opportunity to use experimental methods and become aware of a whole new world of scientific excellence
b. Enriched the curriculum by promoting a hands-on science approach that shows to students that space is fun, and relevant to everyone and inspire and encourage them to follow a career in space
c. Organised and engage a community of mentors (volunteer teachers and experts) on space by mobilising them during the organisation of Odysseus II Contest in each country and at European-wide level
d. Encouraged and formalized connections between schools / universities and space industries
It should be mentioned that although the impact of the participation to the Odysseus II contest on the career of participants will be assessed in the long term, there are already recorded many examples of participants following academic studies in science, engineering and other fields related to space, while some of the students participated in the contest have already approached space industries or space organizations for internships or for applying for a job with them.
Moreover, the societal impact of Odysseus II project was unique compared to space contests so far; considering the that the Odysseus website had almost 1.000.000 page views from 152.183 unique users, within three years of duration. Still a significant number of students and teachers are asking if Odysseus Contest will continue.
Odysseus II Final event 2017
Visit at Observatory Midi-Pyrénées
Final Winners 2016
Awards Ceremony 2017
Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG)-Launching_17-11-2016
Odysseus II Final event 2016