The Space Science Engineering Foundation (SSEF) was set up to foster students' interest in space and to use space as a vehicle for learning about subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the STEM subjects of the National Curriculum, as well as psychology, management, design and business. The Foundation accomplishes these goals by means of the UK Space Design Competition (UKSDC) and  the Galactic Challenge (GC), both industry simulations. These simulations were designed to give students an insight into the real world of business and industry. Employers have often complained that students leave school and college without having mastered the attributes that would make them useful employees. To that purpose, the SSEF's programmes show students how important it is to be able to work in a team, solve problems, work to deadlines, keep within budgets and communicate effectively.

The students bear testament to the success of our programmes. Besides achieving a host of specific learning objectives, pupils gain other personal benefits. These include increased confidence, awareness of their own strengths, an understanding of other people, a feeling of competence, and a sense of responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Above all, they have fun!. But how does all this happen in the space of a few short hours?