Between 7th and 9th October 2024 students from 12 UTCs across England took part in a challenge set by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to design a moon base on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. Teams of 4-6 students had two days to work on a presentation delivered virtually to Dstl’s Space Scientists on Wednesday 9th October. Teams had to cover the roles of Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Resources Engineer, Environment Engineer and Societal and Health Engineer. They were given a weight limit for supplies and materials that they could bring with them from earth and had to consider the conditions on Callisto that would impact on the mission to build a base.
The students’ presentations were brilliant and the team from Dstl had glowing feedback:
“It’s so exciting to see how talented and passionate the young people at UTCs are. The future of science and technology is looking very promising indeed if this is the calibre of young people coming forward.”
After much discussion and deliberation, the panel of Dstl judges announced that UTC Derby Pride Park were the winners. They were incredibly impressed with the students’ detailed presentation, with thorough, referenced research and robust science and engineering, which they communicated clearly and succinctly – not always an easy thing to do. The inclusion of spices and ‘social supplies’ were a really nice touch and demonstrated an understanding of the human side of the mission too.
University Collegiate School in Bolton also got a special mention from the judges. The students from Bolton demonstrated an impressive understanding of the importance of requirements capture and mission scoping which gave their mission a really secure baseline from which to be planned. Given that these students were from Year 10, so younger than a lot of others participating in the activity, the judges felt they should be incredibly proud of themselves for their presentation, as their work was clearly of a very high standard.
Furthermore the judges stressed that they were absolutely blown away by the high calibre of presentations and that all the students who took part should be really proud of themselves. The thorough understanding of scientific and engineering processes, materials properties, sustainability and closed loop solutions were clearly evident from the presentations, whilst the attention to detail, creative solutioneering and talent for communication displayed by all the teams was fantastic.
All participants received a certificate of participation and the ‘winners’ a certificate for providing the winning design. The students from UTC Derby Pride Park also got a pack of goodies in the post from Dstl.
Many thanks to the whole team at Dstl for supporting this activity and to all teachers for facilitating the students taking part. Congratulations to all students involved.