International Space Settlement Design Competition
"Our son said the ISSDC finals in Houston is unquestionably the
BEST experience of his life."
-- Parent, 2006
"There is no better way to teach."
-- Teacher,
2005
"I am thrilled to see my students involved in this program.
It...provides [students] exactly the kind of educational experience
that is described as ideal by current [Gifted/Talented program]
literature and conferences."
-- Teacher, 2005
"You have made me want to come back again as soon as
possible."
-- signed by entire 12-member Finalist team, 2004
"It's an amazing idea & engages students in learning
to a degree I have rarely seen anywhere else. The students really
do get a taste of real-world work pressures and collaboration."
-- Advisor, 2005
"I learned I don't know everything. You need inputs from
all. It's the parts that make the whole."
-- Student,
1995
"I can honestly say that this competition sparked my
interest in engineering and ultimately determined my career goals."
-- Alumnus Student, 1999
"The Competition...has strengthened my interest in aerospace
and has given me a path that I would like to follow in the future."
-- Student, 2004
"It's one of the best perspectives a high school student
can gain on how things work in industry. It is about much more than
space and can help in any career."
-- Advisor, 2005
"My son...has really blossomed since the whole experience."
-- Parent, 2004
"Competition...has allowed for and continues to develop
enormous growth in my knowledge in the areas of aerospace, materials
sciences, and engineering applications."
-- Student, 2003
"[W]e can't think of a more educational and inspiring activity for our
son. We had never seen him so passionated, motivated, and determined to
succeed as during the 3 days that his team was part of the ISSDC finals
in Houston. He learned so many invaluable lessons from this experience,
not only what Engineering is all about, but also the value of teamwork
in working with his teammates from India."
-- Parent, 2006
"It is an honor to attend such a challenging competition
and see the best brought out in each of our students."
--
Teacher, 1999
"Thank you very much for making this excellent program available. A great number of students benefit from your effort."
-- Student, 2001
"Several students [said]...they now understand how math
and physics could be used and applied to real situations."
-- Teacher, 1997
"It is perfect for anyone who likes to use imagination,
creativity, and designing skills"
-- Student, 2005
"I also learned in order to achieve a goal, it took the
use of imagination, working with other people and tenacity."
-- Student, 1995
"Student was on the Design Team for two years and went from
a C student to a high B student as a direct result of his participation.'
-- Teacher, 1997
"[My son] was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder...failed
an average of two courses per semester...He found that weekend so
exciting...after two JSC weekends and two KSC weekends, this young
man returned to his senior year of high school and put forth the
consistent effort to maintain an A average...these competitions...have
so significantly contributed to [his]growth."
-- Parent,
2001
"The hardest part is to keep everyone communicating and on
deadline so everybody knows what everybody else is doing and we get
done on time. It takes a lot of cooperation from everybody."
-- Student, 1995
"The biggest problem is dealing with all of the different
people and personalities."
-- Student, 2000
"My students worked very hard at the competition and once
again learned a lot about themselves and how to work with other
people."
-- Teacher, 2001
"Because of the Space Settlement Design Competition
experiences, six of the Class of '96 earned [college] scholarships."
-- Teacher, 1997
"Each [student] came back with a different perspective on
life and an improved attitude regarding their capabilities."
-- Teacher, 1995
"Our brains were in overload. We worked all night."
-- Student, 1995
"[I]t was 1 o'clock in the morning and we found ourselves
jumping up and down outside in the rain out of joy of actually
finishing the challenging task of designing a space settlement
orbiting earth."
-- Alumnus Student, 2003
"You changed his life."
-- Teacher, 1995
"I had never thought of myself as a public speaker because
I'd never been one and never thought I could be one. ... That
experience alone changed my life forever."
-- Alumnus
Student, 2003
"[P]articipating in the competition...has helped me so much
with conversations, persuasions, and talking in front of big groups
of people. It has helped me in class where I am not shy to talk out
loud and answer questions."
-- Alumnus Student, 2005
"It seemed to me that we were working in a company."
-- Student, 1999
"I enjoyed the opportunity to see how a real company was
operated and to act like one."
-- Student, 1994
"Now my daughter understands what I do at work."
--
Parent who writes proposals for a living, 2002
"It has given her more strength and determination than she
had before the competition."
-- Teacher, 1995
"I was surprised at what I did."
-- Student, 1999
"The entire trip will always have a longlasting impact on
the rest of my life. It was unforgettable."
-- Student,
1994
"Thanks so much for all you did for our kids at the
Competition. It was a great experience and they were buzzing all
the way back [home]."
-- Parent / Advisor, 2001
"A wonderful way to expose women and minorities to fields
that they might not have chosen."
-- Teacher, 1997
"You expanded that student's world by a factor of ten."
-- Teacher, 1995
"The most difficult thing is organization and leadership."
-- Student, 1995
"This competition has developed every aspect of my current
leadership skills."
-- Alumnus Student, 2005
"Professionals...contributed greatly to the experience.
It was exciting to be able to ask them questions and have them
help."
-- Student, 1994
"Thank you for the wonderful time this weekend. I loved to
help the kids!"
-- Volunteer Engineer, 2001
"This is a great opportunity for these students to be exposed
to the intense competitiveness of the real corporate world."
-- Teacher, 1995
"Has changed the career goals of most, has opened up new
possibilities and expanded their horizons, has exposed them to new
people, ideas, places and opportunities, has stretched them,
challenged them, excited them and exhausted them."
--
Teacher, 1997
"The whole group experienced what team work is all about.
If the team wasn't communicating with the others then nothing would
get done."
-- Student, 1994
"[I learned] how to work more efficiently in a team, and
how challenging teamwork can be."
-- Student, 2003
"Each student was amazed to see what they had done."
-- Teacher, 1999
"I learned more than I could have imagined."
--
Alumnus Student, 2003
"The work, the dedication--I didn't know I could do it."
-- Student, 2002
"You find out a lot about yourself."
-- Student,
2000
"We gained new insight and discovered hidden talents....Many
of these skills have become crucial factors in our college lives."
-- Alumni Students, 1997
"It...has that which no other competition offers. You have
the power to think out of the box which invites creativity that you
never imagined you had."
-- Student, 2005
"You have done something extraordinary for these young
people by giving them a challenging opportunity to discover themselves
while they explore our future in space."
-- Teacher,
1997
"Just like real life."
-- Teacher, 1999
"We shall value this experience for life."
--
Students, 2001
"...a mind-blowing experience."
-- Volunteer
Engineer, 2001
"When people asked why I was going on the trip this Summer,
I told them 'I'm going to build a space station in two days.' I
thought I was joking. It seems I really wasn't."
-- Student,
2005
"My students had a blast."
-- Teacher, 2006
"I truly lack the words to thank you for making this
competition possible. As always, the students have had a wonderful
learning experience."
-- Teacher, 2001