The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is debuting satellite imagery tools that aim to launch school children "into the world of geospatial information."
In early October 2013, as part of Global Space Week, SANSA launched Fundisa—satellite imagery tools to support the high school geography curriculum.
Earth observation and space science are seen as important ways to monitor South Africa's land usage, resources and urban development, among many other things, but a lack of skills in the field is a constant problem in government, research institutions and the private sector.
At the launch of Global Space Week on Oct. 3 at the Hartebeesthoek site, SANSA Chief Executive Sandile Malinga told students, "These are the new technologies, the new skills that will drive our country and our economy. It requires learners to step up to the plate and rise to the challenge. The opportunities are there for you."
Image courtesy of SANSA.