The story of the "Journey to Space" initiative began in recognition of the growing importance of space sciences and their applications in our modern world—offering valuable insights into our planet and contributing to sustainable development and improved quality of life.
As integrating traditional education with STEM-based learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) becomes a new trend in education, and in line with Kuwait University’s belief in investing in the minds of the youth, the "Journey to Space" program was launched by the Department of Physics at the College of Science, with support from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, and in collaboration with the College of Education and the General Science Education Division at the Ministry of Education, starting in September 2024.
The initiative aimed to make use of the activity period in public schools by introducing space science in an exciting, engaging, and hands-on way, helping to embed knowledge in students’ minds and spark their curiosity about space. It encouraged out-of-the-box thinking and fostered creative thinking and communication skills—aligned with the country’s vision of preparing a generation well-versed in space sciences.
The program also aimed to simplify space science concepts through scientific activities and practical experiments. The Kuwait University team delivered scientific lectures over several weeks to teachers from the Ministry of Education, who then passed that knowledge on to their students.
The initiative focused on several key topics, including: humans in space, satellites, rocket launches, and how satellites are made. Teachers were taken on an exciting journey to raise awareness about the importance of space science and its practical applications.
These efforts culminated in a student project exhibition, where approximately 300 students showcased and had their work evaluated. The exhibition was held at the College of Science and attended by the President of Kuwait University, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, along with notable guests including UAE astronauts Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Mohammed Al Mulla, as well as Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait.
At the close of the event, the most outstanding student projects were honored—serving as motivation for learning space science and encouraging the pursuit of scientific research in this vital field.