The Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Program Welcomes UK Royal Air Force Air Cadets to the 2022 Roster
The Endeavour Scholarship Foundation (ESF) today announced a partnership with the Royal Air Force Air Cadet program whereby RAFAC will select the five UK recipients for the Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Program 2022. The four selected students and one STEM teacher, who will be announced in June 2022, will each have demonstrated drive, determination, and a desire to further their studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The scholarship, launched under the patronage of the late Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Col. Al Worden, USAF-Ret. and named for his Endeavour spacecraft, delivers an all-expense-paid, week-long, hands-on astronaut training experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Centre’s renowned Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. It aims to foster greater international understanding and cooperation, and inspire the next generation of innovators, explorers, and leaders in the global aerospace community. Space Camp teaches students of all ages to work as teams through myriad academic and physical challenges, and to complete simulated space missions, giving a taste of what it takes to be an astronaut. Space Camp alumni include NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts, engineers, scientists, and technicians.
As one of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon, Worden spent decades after his historic 1971 flight as an active advocate for the future engineering workforce, in all disciplines, in communities around the world, including numerous appearances at U.K. schools and other institutions.
“The Endeavour Scholarship program is ready for take-off this summer in Huntsville, AL with the aim to unite students from around the world, promoting global goodwill and partnership between nations. It is a platform from which we recognize and reward the achievements of tomorrow’s leaders.” said Tom Kallman, President of the Endeavour Scholarship Foundation. “We are delighted to welcome the United Kingdom to the 2022 scholarship program and have the RAF Air Cadets join students from Chile, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates this July at Space Camp. We are confident this experience will allow our scholars to build international friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.”
Group Captain and Regional Commandant of the RAFAC, Alan Lewis adds, “The RAF Air Cadets is thrilled to have been chosen as a partner in this exciting venture – we have recently recrafted our aims in alignment with our sister service and Space features strongly in our directives. We have our own Space syllabus, uniquely for cadet forces, and the first 4 cadets will be trailblazers and great ambassadors, contributing to the camp, and thriving from its opportunities and experiences. Their attendance and shared experiences will drive competition and interest for many thousands of RAF Air Cadets for the future.”
