The Space Science Engineering & Environmental Foundation (SSE²F) was set up to foster students’ interest in space and to use space as a vehicle for learning about subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the STEM subjects of the National Curriculum, as well as psychology, management, design and business. The Foundation accomplishes these goals by means of the UK Space Design Competition (UKSDC) and the Galactic Challenge (GC), both industry simulations.
The Foundation has now begun another programme—the Environmental Design Challenge—that along with its ancillary programmes—Eco Meet and the Youth Climate Conference—offers the same rigorous introduction to STEM subjects as the Space Design Competitions. These new programmes endeavour to engage students in knowledge of our Earth’s ecology. At the same time, we hope to rouse students’ sensitivity to the perils of climate change, the alarming consequence of our planet’s warming.