Saudi Arabia Launches Space Madak Competition
The competition targets students across the Arab world aged between 6 and 18.
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) unveiled the Madak competition in a bid to foster a culture of research, innovation, and space exploration among Arab youth.[1]
The competition targets students across the Arab world aged between 6 and 18, aiming to engage them in the realm of space sciences. Winners of the competition will have the opportunity to embark on a journey to the International Space Station by the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024.[2]
The competition is structured into three tracks, catering to different age groups: the arts track for ages 6 to 11, the botany track for ages 12 to 14, and the engineering track for ages 15 to 18.
Under the guidance of Rayana Barnawi, the first female Saudi astronaut who conducted 14 experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the competition is a collaborative effort between the Misk Foundation and the Ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center.
The core objective of the competition is to cultivate essential skills and capabilities among Arab youth, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through hands-on experiments focused on studying the impact of microgravity on plant growth.
Registration for the competition remains open until April 30th, accessible through the SSA website.
Established in 2018, the Saudi Space Agency is dedicated to supporting the kingdom's research and development in space science and exploration.