Active Space Technologies Announces New Partnership with Native Scientists

Active Space Technologies has announced its sponsorship of Native Scientists for the upcoming school year.

Active Space Technologies (AST), a company from BEL Group, operates in space, aeronautics, nuclear, defence, and industry. At its core, the company focuses on product development, as well as the design and development of components and subsystems from a mechanical and electronic engineering perspective.

In a recent statement, Ricardo Machado, CEO of AST, shared its enthusiasm for supporting Native Scientists: “Active Space Technologies is delighted to be collaborating with Native Scientists on such an inspiring initiative. At BEL Group we believe in the power of sharing knowledge and the importance of awakening scientific curiosity from an early age in order to build a more sustainable future for generations to come”. 

Thanks to their sponsorship, two workshops from the Same Hometown (SHT) programme will be held in Vizela, Portugal, reaching around 40 children. The two workshops will be led by scientist Sara Freitas, who will have the opportunity to return to her former school and broaden children’s horizons, promote scientific literacy and higher education.

The SHT is one of the two Native educational programmes, designed to bring scientists back to their hometown schools, where they act as role models and engage children in scientific exploration.

SHT connects scientists with children in regions where access to such educational opportunities might be unavailable due to geographic isolation or local funding constraints. The programme is implemented across Portugal, with a special focus on reaching remote areas, islands, and underserved communities. 

About Active Space Technologies

Founded in 2004, Active Space Technologies is a Portuguese company, headquartered in Coimbra, that offers products and services in the fields of thermo-mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, as well as management support services for technology transfer and development projects. Committed to diversity, inclusion, and environmental responsibility, the company promotes innovation, collaboration, and knowledge in the space sector.

About Native Scientists

Founded in 2013, Native Scientists is a pan-European non-profit organisation connecting underserved children and scientists. It exists to broaden children's horizons, promoting scientific literacy and reducing inequalities through science outreach educational programmes.