Assumption Convent School shoots for the stars
The model moves in real-time using Raspberry Pi, motors, and live data as the space station orbits the earth every 90 minutes.
Assumption Convent School (ACS) recently received one of the first International Space Station (ISS) mini mimics in Africa through collaboration with the ISS National Laboratory.
The donation was made possible by a grant from Creatorspace, a non-profit organisation which promotes skill-building in technical, artistic, and scientific areas.
Assumption Convent’s information technology teacher, Delia Kench, attended the 2024 Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) in Houston, USA, where she received the ISS mini mimic.
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The ISS mimic team, consisting of Boeing engineers and teachers, developed a detailed miniature model of the ISS that can be integrated into educational programmes, with detailed video guides and immersive learning experiences to foster enthusiasm for space and science among learners.
The mini mimic is a 1:100 scale articulating an educational 3D-printed model of the International Space Station that runs off live data streaming from the real ISS.
The model moves in real-time using Raspberry Pi, motors, and live data as the space station orbits the earth every 90 minutes.
Its purpose is to help develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills.
Learners first assemble the ISS model to receive live telemetry and then interact with it as it reflects data such as the orientation of the solar panels.
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Additional details such as the battery charge level, power production, position above the earth, resident astronaut details, docked modules and orbit are also displayed.
ACS is indebted to Dianea Phillips (CEO of Science Yourself!, No G’s about it!, an aerospace teacher from Canada), Aymette Medina (ISS Mimic EDU, Odyssey Academy teacher, Texas) and Brian Murphy (Associate Chief Engineer at The Boeing Company for the ISS & Mimic) for their assistance in getting the first ISS Mini Mimic to Africa.
ACS is dedicated to enhancing the learning experience for teachers and learners.
The school offers an opportunity for primary schools, high schools, and school management teams to participate in its annual ACS Space Camp in June.
The camp aims to expose teachers to STEM education and gather curated resources for implementation in their schools and classrooms.
Contact deputy principal Laurietta Goosen for more information about the mini mimic or the ACS Space Camp.
