MRCOOL® is well known for fostering innovation and creativity, both at home and beyond. This is made even more evident in their partnership with Space United, an organization that fuses soccer and space tech to develop access to STEM sciences and aerospace engineering across the globe.
This year, MRCOOL® enjoyed the privilege of being the primary sponsor of Space United’s Goal for Launch Mission in Medellín, Colombia. The event, which took place from October 23rd to October 26th, involved participation from 43 public and private educational institutions across Latin America, introducing MRCOOL® to and cultivating space science with students throughout the region.
Camilo Tobacia, founder of Space United, said “[MRCOOL®’s] partnership played a key role in inspiring the next generation of engineers, athletes, and dreamers — and in bringing the story of innovation and teamwork to life.”
Overall, more than 1,500 attendees participated in the event, with 200 high school and 120 university students taking part in space-themed workshops and STEM-focused seminars throughout the course of the three days. This year, 36% of the attending students were female, which indicates the growth of an underrepresented minority within STEM fields that MRCOOL® hopes to help foster even further.
The Goal for Launch Mission also saw the participation of Colombia’s Atlético Nacional, the country’s largest professional soccer club with over 45,000 members, who then shared the event with over 4 million fans. Twenty-eight scholarships were also awarded to youth Atlético Nacional Academy players for next year’s rocketry competition, ensuring success within their education, and securing MRCOOL® as a progressive, forward-thinking company interested in advancing education and encouraging community throughout underserved regions worldwide.
“The commemorative Space United X MRCOOL® jersey we wore during the mission symbolized more than partnership,” Camilo said. “It represented a shared belief that innovation should feel human, accessible, and inspiring to the next generation–especially in the communities where dreams are first born.”
The keynote workshop, Sports in Space, which was led by Space United co-founder Emily Chow and Camilo Tobacia, gave soccer-based STEM guidance to the attending students. The workshop, which was presented by MRCOOL®, connected the youth with athletic excellence and scientific innovation. The workshop introduced concepts such as gravity, laws of motion, and atmospheric differences. Young athletes then envisioned what the future of sports in space might look like, encouraging creativity, technical education, and scientific learning.
The main event of the week, which was the 3rd Annual ALAS Rocketry Competition, was instrumental in empowering the scientific minds of our future. "One piece of advice I give you is that everything is possible,” said one attendee, standing amongst her peers. “If you put in the effort and work as a team, you can achieve anything."
To prepare for this event, teams of students from across Latin America constructed their own rockets, which were then launched in a contest that emulates real-world engineering processes - from design and simulation to manufacturing and testing. There was a beginner bracket, an intermediate bracket which featured an all-girls team in second place, and a university bracket where Mexican teams earned the top two spots, showcasing an increasing interest in STEM education throughout Latin America.
The week ended with a friendly and eagerly awaited rematch between Space United and Atlético Nacional athletes. Although Atlético Nacional won 1-0, Space United players left feeling accomplished and inspired to succeed next year.
MRCOOL® is honored to have been a sponsor for this event, as the company believes that investing in the lives of children worldwide is an investment in our collective future. “Being able to support future engineers, scientists, and innovators through creative and engaging events like Space United’s Goal for Launch Mission is one of the best feelings. We’re not only fostering education, we’re fostering innovation.”