The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Vila do Porto that the Azores are proud to host, for the third time, the national edition of the CanSat competition, an educational programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) organised by Ciência Viva in partnership with the Regional Government.
 
Gui Menezes spoke on the sidelines of the opening session of the 6th CanSat Portugal, which was also attended by the President of the Portuguese Space Agency, Chiara Manfletti. On the occasion he recalled that, besides being organised on Santa Maria for the third consecutive time, the European final was also held last year on this island.
 
The Regional Secretary told journalists that CanSat "is in line with other measures implemented by the Regional Government to promote scientific literacy and scientific culture among students and teachers." As he emphasised, various initiatives are being carried out in the Region for the same purpose, "namely robotics clubs, which are already spread throughout 20 schools" of the archipelago.
 
According to Gui Menezes, these measures, including the support for CanSat, fall within the Action Plan for the Scientific and Technological Culture of the Azores (PACCTO Azores), created in 2018, which was presented in the last national CanSat edition.
 
"It makes sense that this event is held on Santa Maria, an island very focused on space-related matters," the government official said, stressing that "it is in line with the strategy that has been outlined by the Regional Government."
 
"Santa Maria is an island that already plays a prominent role in the field of space and its importance is growing in a national and international context," said Gui Menezes.
 
The Regional Secretary added that one year after the creation of the PACCTO Azores, "which was based on 15 measures, nearly 50% of the measures are already under way."
 
Gui Menezes also mentioned that, under PACCTO Azores, the Regional Government launched last week the second edition of the tender to support the experimental teaching of sciences. In addition to regional public schools and vocational training schools, it will be open, for the first time, to other non-profit public or private entities in charge of coordinating, managing and promoting activities aimed at the dissemination of science and technology.
 
The Regional Secretary revealed that another two competition will be launched during this month: "one aimed at supporting the development of research projects with the direct involvement of citizens and another intended to support the development of scientific and technological projects using multimedia for scientific dissemination."
 
CanSat is a competition directed to students attending secondary and vocational training schools, whose main goal is the construction, setting and launch of a minisatellite in the size of a soda can.
 
The microsatellite is launched by a rocket up to an altitude of 1000 metres so that, during the descent, it will possible to carry out a scientific experience, which is to pick up the signals emitted (telemetry) and ensure a safe landing
 
A total of 16 teams from various national schools are participating in the sixth edition of CanSat Portugal, which ends Saturday, including the Capelas Vocational Training School from São Miguel Island. The competition involves the participation of about 120 people, among them students, teachers and members of the jury.
 
Since 2015, the Regional Government has invested nearly 230 thousand Euros in this educational programme. It is primarily intended to stimulate young people in the areas of science and technology, engineering and space, ensuring the organisation of regional and national competitions as well as the participation of Azorean teams in European finals.