Call for Participants: Supporting the High School Space Olympics – Model Rocket Challenge @ Iizuka City to be Held on August 2!

The Iizuka Regional Employment Creation Council (secretariat: Iizuka City) will host the 'Reiwa 8 Model Rocket Challenge @ Iizuka City' to promote interest in science and technology and cultivate the next generation of manufacturing talent for Iizuka.

This is the second event following the one held in March this year. Participants will experience the joy of building model rockets, create original designs, and develop a mindset for tackling unknown challenges through practical space-related learning. Additionally, female entrepreneurs actively working in the space industry will serve as guest lecturers, delivering talks on aerospace topics and real-world research and development, aiming to deepen middle and high school students' interest in science.

Event Date and Time: August 2, Reiwa 8 (Sunday), 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Lecturers:

Dr. Keisuke Maeda, Special Associate Professor, Department of Space Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology

Producer, General Incorporated Association Kyushu Mirai Sosei

Born in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture in 1977. Graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering and Resource Sciences, Akita University.

Currently serving since June 2024. Has worked on the development of ultra-small satellites at the Nakasuka Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Astroscale Inc., and the Planetary Exploration Research Center at Chiba Institute of Technology. Also organizes space education events such as the Noshiro Space Event, Ehime Nan-yo Joint Balloon Experiment, Gunma Space Award, and the Space Koshien across Japan, targeting students from elementary to university levels.

Naomi Kurahara, Representative Director and CEO, Infostellar Inc.

Over 10 years of experience in the space industry. Holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Kyushu Institute of Technology and conducted research on ion engines and space plasma environments at JAXA.

Prior to founding Infostellar in 2016, she worked as a researcher and satellite ground system engineer on multiple satellite projects.

Venue:

(Presentations and rocket assembly): Porto Building, Iizuka Campus, Kyushu Institute of Technology

(Launch site): Ground, Iizuka Campus, Kyushu Institute of Technology

Organizers:

Iizuka Regional Employment Creation Council

Co-organizers:

National University Corporation Kyushu Institute of Technology

General Incorporated Association Kyushu Mirai Sosei

Iizuka City (Gender Equality Promotion Section, Industry-Academia Promotion Section)

Iizuka City Board of Education (Lifelong Learning Section)

Target Participants:

Middle and high school students residing in or attending schools within Iizuka City

Number of Participants: Approximately 40

Participation Fee: Free of charge

Application Method: Please apply via the following form:

https://forms.gle/BGtBccdEHBbz67pD7

※ For more details, please refer to the information below.

Inquiries: Iizuka Regional Employment Creation Council (Secretariat: Industry-Academia Promotion Section, Economic Affairs Department, Iizuka City)

Tel: 0948-22-5518

Email: [email protected]