Sixth Grader from Kalymnos wins international NASA contest

Dimitris Trikoilis, a sixth grade student from Maniaio Primary School on Kalymnos island has won first prize in the international astronomy contest “Become a Cassini Scientist for a Day”.

Continuing in the tradition started by the Cassini mission to Saturn, Scientist for a Day challenges students worldwide to become NASA scientists. Participants examine real spacecraft observations and choose the destination they think will yield the best scientific results. This choice must then be supported in essay and Dimitri was chosen as number one in the world amongst all the students who participated.

Principle of the school, Mrs Sevasmia- Ekaterini Koutsourai, the Teachers’ Association and the students of Maniaio congratulated Dimitris on his success and said they were very proud of his achievement.

In particular, it is a scientific exhibition competition organised by the Department of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Engineering of the National and Kapodistriakou University of Athens (NEAA) in cooperation with the US and European Space Agency (NASA and ESA respectively) and with the help of SpaceGates.

The official award ceremony will take place on 30^th of June at the Great Hall of Functions at the University of Athens.