Boeing is helping to ensure that students in Africa are aware of future opportunities in the space arena. This is courtesy of its Pathways to Space programme.

BOEING’S COLLABORATION WITH FASESA
Collaborating with Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy (FASESA), Boeing has provided over 300 African students the opportunities to gain valuable STEM education.
Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, said, “Right on the heels of the Boeing Starliner mission to the International Space Station, we are delighted to inspire more young people into the aerospace industry. We are looking forward to the innovative contributions the graduates of the Pathways to Space program will make, shaping the future of space exploration in the decades to come.”
GRADUATION FROM PATHWAYS TO SPACE PROGRAMME
The first cohort of the Pathways to Space programme, a new educational initiative arranged by the Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy (FASESA) and Boeing, celebrated their graduation on 10 July 2024. The graduation ceremony took place in Ethiopia.
“We are incredibly proud of the students’ accomplishments. Their dedication and enthusiasm for STEM and space exploration are truly inspiring.” said Sean Jacobs, founder and executive director at FASESA.
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BOEING’S PATHWAYS TO SPACE TRAINING
After five months of immersive learning, 312 students, from 63 schools in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania have developed a keen interest in the space industry. This is set to shape their career aspirations.
Moreover, half of the students on the STEM programme were girls, according to Airspace Africa.
The Pathways to Space Programme enabled 120 Ethiopian, 112 Nigerian and 82 Tanzanian students to explore space through hands-on activities.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
The students formed teams, designed a mission patch, built a prototype satellite, conducted tests, and presented their designs.
The program ended with a satellite prototype testing day. Students tested their prototypes in real-world conditions.
This comprehensive experience developed their engineering skills, and passion for space exploration, and prepared them for future education and careers.
“The graduation ceremony not only celebrates their hard work during the program but also marks the beginning of their journey as future leaders in the space industry or more broadly in science and technology.” Jacobs said.
EXPANDING THE PROGRAMME
FASESA and Boeing have set their sights on expanding the Pathways to Space program to other countries in Africa.
Starting next year, the program will offer in-person and online participation, creating opportunities for more students across the African continent