TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Magellan Aerospace
("Magellan") announced today that they have entered into an
international partnership agreement with the Student Spaceflight
Experiment Program (SSEP). The SSEP is a US-based, immersive
program that was launched in June
2010 by the National Center for Earth and Space Science
Education (NCESSE) that gives typically 300+ students across
participating communities the ability to design and propose real
microgravity experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the
International Space Station (ISS). The program was created to
promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
learning, and Magellan is very pleased to be able to contribute in
this meaningful way to bringing the SSEP experience to Canadian
youth.
In 2012, SSEP was extended to international communities through
the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education, NCESSE's new
international arm. This unique program engages students and
teachers in every facet of real science and aims to change the way
students perceive science and their ability to do it.
As an international partner, Magellan increases the opportunity
for more communities to participate in SSEP. The program
utilizes the funding provided by the company to bridge funding
shortfalls for communities that may otherwise be unable to
participate. Magellan sees this funding as an investment in
the youth of Canada, and in
nurturing an interest in science to the next generation of
scientists and engineers.
When the SSEP was broadened to include Canadian participation in
2012, two school districts (or communities of schools) were able to
participate in this unique program and send scientific experiments
into space – Stonewall, Manitoba
on Mission 3 to the ISS in 2013, and Kamloops/Thompson School District 73, British Columbia on Mission 6 to ISS in
2014. In order to participate in the program the communities
were required to fund-raise in order to cover some of the costs of
the space launch. Magellan participated on the funding teams
for both of these Canadian student missions, and has experienced
first-hand the excitement that this once-in-a-lifetime learning
opportunity delivers to students.
On the success of the first two Canadian programs, the SSEP has
taken root, and gaining more and more visibility and interest
throughout the country. Earlier this year, three more
Canadian communities were selected for participation in the program
and the next opportunity to see their science fly to space on SSEP
Mission 8. The communities are:
- Bishop Carroll High School in
Calgary, Alberta;
- Ryerson University and Local High
Schools in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB); and
- University of Toronto Schools
(UTS).
Magellan's partnership funding was required for two of these
three communities to go forward with participating in the
program.
The two, current (Mission 8) Magellan-sponsored, student groups
are on the countdown to launch right now and Dr. Jeff Goldstein, the Center Director, NCESSE
reports that there has been an "overwhelming response from
educators for participation in Mission 9 to ISS, beginning in
September 2015." Support provided by Magellan will, again, be
crucial for enabling a greater number of students access to the
SSEP program as part of Mission 9.
Visit the websites that the Mission 8 teams have created to
share their SSEP experiences at http://www.utsoniss.com/
(University of Toronto Schools) and
http://www.ryerson.ca/cab/SSEP/index.html (Ryerson).
National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE)
SSEP website: http://ssep.ncesse.org
About Magellan Aerospace
Magellan Aerospace is a global, integrated aerospace company
that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft
and engine manufacturers, and defense and space agencies worldwide.
Magellan designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and
aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets,
advanced products for military and space markets, industrial power
generation, and specialty products. Magellan is a public company
whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MAL), with
operating units throughout Canada,
the United States, the
United Kingdom, India, and Poland.
Forward Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this press release may be
forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations
based on currently available information. When used herein, words
such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will",
"should", "intend", "believe", and similar expressions, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the
Corporation in light of its experience and its perception of
historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors that the Corporation
believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could
cause the Corporation's actual results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk
Factors" section of the Corporation's Annual Information Form
(copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com). These
factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not
place undue reliance on the Corporation's forward-looking
statements. The Corporation has no intention and undertakes no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by law.
SOURCE Magellan Aerospace Corporation
