VII Panamanian Space Sciences Olympiad will be held from June 13 to 15

From June 13 to 15, the challenges phase of the VII Panamanian Space Sciences Olympiad (OliPaCE) will be held, organized by the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt) in conjunction with the City of Knowledge. This year, 300 students from official and private schools took the preselection test.

Of these, 33 students qualified with the best scores and represent the regions of Chiriquí, Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas, Panamá Oeste, Panamá Centro, Panamá Norte and San Miguelito.

In the challenge phase, students will be evaluated individually and in groups through knowledge tests in physics, mathematics, astrophysics, astronomical observation, and in the rocketry challenge. 

They must design and build a rocket with recyclable materials, propelled by air and water, applying their knowledge of Pascal's Principles, Newton's third law, parabolic launch, aerodynamics and free fall.

Dr. Giannina Dalle Mese Zavala, from the Faculty of Earth and Space Sciences of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (Mexico), and Dr. Martín Leiva, from the Córdoba Astronomical Observatory of the National University of Córdoba (Argentina) They will be the judges.

When rating rocket performance, they will take into consideration height and flight time.

“Space and related sciences are not only applied to space travel. "They have also contributed to the advancement of medicine, agriculture in controlled environments and the construction of robots for inhospitable environments."

In addition, Earth observation through satellites helps us monitor the environment and water quality, establish maps of soil and the probability of spread of diseases caused by vectors, and reduce the risk of disasters.

"Panama is taking the first firm steps to participate in new opportunities for research, markets and services based on space sciences. But the training of human resources is necessary," said Dr. Eduardo Ortega Barría, national secretary of Senacyt.