
Project Overview
IPSF is proud to be the official funding partner of the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program. The program provides hands-on STEM experience to foster interest in advanced technologies and meet the rising demand for a highly-qualified work force in growing STEM-related industries. Irvine CubeSat also has an eye on creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM-related fields, including women and minorities.
The Irvine CubeSat STEM Program (ICSP) is a joint educational endeavor to teach, train and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. It is comprised of students from six different high schools in the City of Irvine whose main objective is to assemble, test and launch a nano-satellite into low Earth orbit. By working on this project, students develop and practice STEM skills in technical documentation and communication, project management, hardware and software, mechanical and electrical subsystems, programming, radio and optical communications, and data analysis. Students are selected by a competitive application process including completing documentation and participating in an in-person interview. Students agree to a year-long commitment in order to complete the mission.
Student teams work after school to reach a series of milestones scheduled to keep them on track. An Industry Speaker Series provides students with expert insight into space, technology and STEM, enhancing their understanding of real world application of the skills they are learning. Other events include field trips for testing and a design review, both intended to deepen student understanding and learning through hands-on experience.