Three Ballakermeen High School students have returned from a two-week international space programme in Houston, Texas, where they worked with peers from around the world to plan a crewed mission to Mars.

Isabelle Nazar, Holly McEvoy and Dante Kunstel were awarded scholarships by River Advisers to attend the United Space School, joining students from around 20 countries.

The sixth-formers presented an account of their experiences at a special event in Tynwald’s Barrool Suite, where they received certificates from Paul Craine MLC, political member for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.

Organised annually in July by the Foundation for International Space Education, the programme brings together students to develop plans for human space exploration, with support from NASA astronauts, engineers and scientists.

The three students, all in Year 12, secured their places through an essay competition.

River Advisers has sponsored Isle of Man sixth-form students to attend the programme since 2000, with Isabelle, Holly and Dante bringing the total number of island scholars to 58.

Isabelle, who studies maths, further maths, physics and German at A-level, was part of the ‘Green Team’, which developed a plan for a human habitat on Mars. Her responsibilities included communications, food and nutrition, and the recycling of water and oxygen.

‘Being surrounded by people from such a wide range of countries and backgrounds made the experience particularly exciting and I enjoyed hearing different perspectives,’ she said.

‘One of the host dads had trained Neil Armstrong and he was also friends with my host family, which meant I had the incredible opportunity to hear about his career and experiences first-hand.’

Holly, who studies maths, biology and physics, was part of the ‘Yellow Team’, which worked on mission control, communications, budgeting and space law. She said the project required students to research issues independently, make decisions and justify their proposals.

She said: ‘Space School hasn’t made me want to go into the space industry as a career. However, it has given me skills that will be useful whatever career I choose.

‘It made me more confident communicating with people, presenting ideas and working with people who have completely different personalities and opinions to me.’

Dante, who studies maths, physics and biology alongside an Extended Project Qualification, was part of the ‘Blue Team’, tasked with designing a Mars rover and spacesuit. He said students were largely responsible for their own mission planning, with mentors providing guidance and supervision.

‘We were, for the most part, left to our own devices in mission planning,’ he explained. ‘My mentor, Tara from Croatia, was friendly and very intelligent and it was nice to get an insight into the world of robotics through conversations with her.’

Dr Jennifer Stone, chief strategy officer at River Advisers and the first Isle of Man student to attend the programme, said she was pleased to hear the students recount their experiences.

‘We will soon be launching our 2027 space school scholarship competition, and we’re sure there will be great interest as ever amongst the island’s Year 12 students,’ she said.

You cab visit www.unitedspaceschool.org for more information about the Space School and www.riveradvisers.com/scholarships for details of the company’s scholarships.