This marks the first time that the Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship is being organized in Poland, with four winners set to experience a week of astronaut training in July 2024 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Since its inception in 2019, the Endeavour Scholarship has inspired youth in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Chile, Singapore, Australia, and Bahrain, to pursue careers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
Poland's participation aims to not only stoke scientific curiosity among young people but also to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the space industry.
Anna Bukiewicz-Szul of the Polish Space Agency highlighted the significance of this opportunity, saying: "Participation is not just an adventure but potentially a defining moment in their lives. We hope these individuals will become permanently involved with the space sector and help us develop it further in Poland."
The recruitment process is two-phased. Initially, candidates must submit an application via the agency's website along with a maximum two-minute video showcasing their research, or area of interest in either the scientific (STEM) or non-scientific category (humanities, culture and art, and sport).
"We created these two categories to show young people that space needs all kinds of talents, not only scientific ones," Bukiewicz-Szul said. "We hope that the final four will be a diverse group."
Twenty applicants will be shortlisted to the second stage of the contest, which will take place on January 15 at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw.
According to the rules, they will compete in two challenges involving group problem-solving tasks. Proficiency in English (minimum B2 level) is required, in addition to physical and mental fitness.
In addition to the winners, four candidates will be selected as reserves.
The scholarship program was initiated by Col. Alfred Merrill Worden, an astronaut and command module pilot for the 1971 Apollo 15 mission.
Worden was a global advocate for education in STEM.
Named after his spacecraft, the Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Foundation is organizing the program with local support from institutions including the Polish Space Agency.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
