Scottish CanSat Final 2012 sponsored by Fistral Training & Consultancy Ltd.
Well, what a day was had by all at the Scottish CanSat Final! Even the sun smiled down on us all as the seven teams, judges and competition sponsors and supporters gathered to hear the final presentations and see who would be awarded the Fistral Scottish CanSat Trophy and ultimately represent Scotland in the European Space Agency 2012 European CanSat Final to be held in Norway at the end of April…
The Programme for the Final outlines the day, teams, sponsors and activities, however just a recap on the teams from across Scotland who made it to the final (in alphabetical order):
- Bearsden Academy – Team Alpha
- Greenfaulds High School – MacCanX
- Hutcheson’s Grammar School – Solatomic
- King’s Park Secondary School – Team Dynamo
- Largs Academy – Orbitech
- Lomond School – Zvezda
- Vale of Leven Academy – Leven Orbit
Competition Final Proceedings and Hugo Marée from ESA
The Royal Observatory in Edinburgh was the best possible host for the day and not only provided a fantastic welcome and venue, but also laid on activities, presentations and tours for all the teams giving a real insight into current and historical space observation, telescopes, and the technology and behind it all. Thanks in particular goes to Tania and Dave who helped to make it all happen.
The judges, however found the quality of the teams so high that their decision-making took the full time allotted to them, and therefore missed-out on all of this….
Judges, from left to right: Abdul Duane Lawal: Researcher in Space Systems Engineering at the University of Glasgow; Vicky Foster: Langholm Academy; Prof Andrew Rae: Head of Curriculum Engineering, Science and Technology at the University of the Highlands and Islands; Fraser Robertson: Managing Director, Fistral Training and Consultancy Ltd; and Prof Colin McInnes: Director of the Advanced Space Concepts Laboratory at the University of Strathclyde.
Over 70 people – including Hugo Marée Head of the European Space Agency’s Education and Knowledge Management Office – gathered to watch each team present (in 8 mins) their CanSat journey and make their pitch to win the Scottish Competition.
The quality, style and content was extremely impressive considering the age of the teams (15yrs-16yrs) – in fact, some of the teams outstripped many conference presentations I have witnessed, in style, clarity and content…
Scottish CanSat Competition 2012 Winner
Ultimately, however, the judges came to their decision and the team that Fraser awarded the Fistral CanSat Trophy – and the team that will represent Scotland in the 2012 European CanSat Final was:
Team Alpha from Bearsden Academy – Congratulations!!
Hugo Marée (ESA) commented:
“I had a wonderful time at the observatory… I definitively enjoyed the presentations made by the students and I’m looking forward to accompanying them to Norway. They all did a great job; the winning team from Bearsden Academy is competitive and I’m convinced that the Scottish colours will fly high into the Norwegian skies!”
It really was a strong field, and all schools and teams did themselves proud: even though there can only be one winner, the others will certainly be in the leading pack for the competition next year…
See the Scottish CanSat Competition Facebook page for more pictures.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish…
The Fistral Scottish CanSat Competition 2012 has been excellent! It has been great fun and a privilege – for me personally and for Fistral Training as a whole – to work with all of the teams: who have shown enthusiasm and professionalism beyond their years.
In addition, the level of support for the competition and the time and resources committed by teams, teachers, sponsors and supporters has made it a fantastic first year of the competition. Please take a moment to look at Page 2 of the Final Programme where our thanks to all of those who have supported the competition is expressed in full.
And now the pressure is on for the European Final – for which we’re delighted to announce that Paul has been selected as a European Judge – and the Scottish CanSat Competition 2013; there’s a lot to live up to!
All teams truly demonstrated outstanding potential, and I hope this CanSat/Fistral Training experience helps them achieve this potential in some small way. To those that I might not get to see again, every best wish into the future wherever it takes you.