Astro Pi Challenge (ESA)

The **Astro Pi Challenge**, run by the **European Space Agency (ESA)**, invites students to write code that runs on special Raspberry Pi computers aboard the **International Space Station (ISS)**. Participants use real space data—such as images of Earth or sensor readings from inside the ISS—to investigate scientific questions or complete programming missions. The challenge runs on an annual cycle and is suitable for students interested in **coding, data science, and space science**, typically working in teams with a teacher or mentor. This program is a strong fit for high school students who enjoy **problem-solving**, **Python programming**, or exploring **STEM** topics beyond the classroom. It is especially relevant for those considering college majors in areas like computer science, engineering, physics, or data analytics. Completing an Astro Pi project can strengthen a college application by demonstrating: - Experience with **real-world datasets** from a unique environment (space) - Ability to work in a **team** to plan, test, and refine a project - Skills in **programming**, **data analysis**, and **scientific thinking** - Initiative in pursuing **independent, research-style work** Students and educators can find detailed instructions, technical guidelines, and past project examples on the official website: **https://astro-pi.org/**.