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Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
Irene Christian College (ICC) flew the country’s flag high after coming first in the Space Data Analysis category at the 2024 All Africa Space Competition in Ghana.
The 2024 All Africa Space Competition, which attracted participation from over 60 high schools across the continent, including teams from Angola, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Zambia was held at the All-Africa University in Ghana.
Irene College students won after they showcased their skills in the Space Data Analysis category, where they processed, decoded, and analysed signals received from satellites.
The students demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation in the face of a number of challenges such as limited time and the use of complex software that was largely unfamiliar to the
The patron of the school’s Space Club Ms Rumbidzai Goto expressed her pride in the students’ accomplishments.
“I introduced the Space Club at Irene Christian College to inspire our students and expose them to the vast opportunities within space science,” she said.
“This competition was a chance for them to apply what they learned, and I could not be prouder. They faced immense pressure, yet their enthusiasm and willingness to learn propelled them to the top.
“Our success not only showcases our school but also puts Zimbabwe on the map in the realm of space education.”
The competition, which was recently held during the Space Week event, was significant as it marked a shift from previous editions that focused primarily on tertiary institutions.
This year, high school students had the opportunity to engage in advanced projects that typically align with university-level coursework.
The journey to victory was not without its hurdles. Many of the participating students, aged between 12 and 15, had little prior experience with the software tools required for the competition, such as Orbitron and Audacity.
However, thanks to support from the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINZA), the students received essential training from resource personnel who guided them through the complexities of the software.
With a total of 62 entries from seven African countries, ICC’s first-place finish in the Space Data Analysis category is a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering a new generation of scientists and innovators.
Online Reporter