- Program highlights how local talent can contribute to China’s space missions.
- Students learn from top professionals about space science and payload technology, with hands-on study visits.
MGM continues to ignite Macau youth’s dreams of space, partnering with the Association for Promotion of Science and Technology of Macau (MAPST) and the Chinese Society of Astronautics (CSA) for the third consecutive year for the “MGM Youth Popular Science Series: Macau Space Dream Project.”
On 11 July, the Award Presentation and Graduation Ceremony for the project was held at MGM MACAU, recognizing outstanding students and teams. This year also saw the participation of payload specialists from Macau and Hong Kong in the country’s manned space missions for the first time, demonstrating the prospects for talent from both regions to contribute to China’s space missions.
Built around the three pillars of “Learning, Practice, and Research,” the project is Macau’s first integrated science education program for the youth dedicated to space science and payload technology. The project is also the first science education initiative of the CSA in Macau and has been recognized by the China Association for Science and Technology as an “Outstanding Event of the 2024 National Science Popularization Day.”
Special initiatives continue to expand
This year’s project included the “Macau Youth Creative Design Competition of Space Experiment” for Form 2 to 5 students, as well as the “Aerospace Scenario Experience Camp” designed for Primary 5 and 6 students. The camp allowed students to visit Zhuhai Aerospace Land for an immersive learning experience, gaining first-hand knowledge about manned spaceflight, deep-space exploration and space stations. The participation in this year’s tour doubled compared to last year, reaching students from more than half of the local schools.
For students in the secondary school category that received training from national aerospace science and payload technology experts – learning about space experiment design, payload technology applications and aerospace research – they also submitted project proposals for competition. The winning teams from the category will go on an in-depth aerospace study tour in Beijing, including visits to leading aerospace enterprises, aerospace museums and higher education institutions, as well as exchanges with aerospace experts. The Gold Award-winning team will represent Macau at the “2026 International Space Science and Scientific Payload Competition” (ISSSP 2026) in Hong Kong.
The President of the MAPST notes that the program “serves as an important platform for promoting the spirit of space exploration.”
Speaking of the project, Irene Wong, Senior Vice President of Public & Community Relations of MGM, said, “As Macau’s first comprehensive science education program dedicated to space science and payload technology for young people, the Macau Space Dream Project has engaged more than half of the city’s schools over the past three years, with its influence continuing to grow.”
Jose Chui Sai Peng, President of the MAPST, furthered, “The Macau Space Dream Project is more than a space science education program, it serves as an important platform for promoting the spirit of space exploration, fostering patriotism, and inspiring Macau’s young people to embrace science and innovation.”
Jiang Jun, Vice Secretary-General of CSA, said: “The graduation ceremony marks a new starting point for students pursuing their space dreams. I believe that they will maintain their passion for exploring space, embrace learning and innovation, and work toward realizing their aerospace dreams.”
