All of the Paisley Panthers who went to Alabama were excited about their experiences on the November trip to Space Camp, Space Academy, and Advanced Space Academy. Paisley students have been in Huntsville, Alabama at Space Camp.
The program was a five-day event in which trainees live at the center and learn about space and astronauts through science, technology, math, and engineering. Twelve through fourteen-year-olds (or seventh through ninth grade) participate in the Space Academy.
This academy focuses on teamwork and critical thinking and allows kids to feel what it is like to be an astronaut. Trainees preform a variety of activities throughout the week. These include spacecraft flight simulators, learning about the history of space exploration, simulated science experiments on the International Space Station, and view IMAX or digital movies.
The program also offers a track for older students (fifteen to eighteen years-old), the Advanced Space Academy. Here trainees learn about the mental and physical demands of astronauts through multiple activities. Anyone enrolled in this program is also eligible for a twelve-day camp. The camp is highly selective, and completing the program earns one an hour of college credit for freshman-level general sciences from University of Alabama, Huntsville.
“I am more interested in astronomy now.” says current Year II student, Emma Gauthier. She and her sister, Rachel, agreed their favorite activity at Space Camp was the one-sixth gravity chair. The suspension chair simulates the gravitational pull of the moon, which is one-sixth of that on Earth.
Year I students Dillon McGuire, 12, and Jackson Scott, 11, both expressed delight in the trip. Dillon says that he was interested in learning about the different space shuttles and the various astronaut programs. “Space is interesting to me because of the way everything is done.” he said. Both Year I students also enjoyed Space Shot, a drop tower attraction, where seats shoot up the tower, and lifts the riders weight as they switch to move back down.
Lilly Scott, 13, and Alex Nagy, 14, were both inspired by family members to go to space camp. Both of Lilly Scott’s parents are science teachers, helping the Year III student focus on the science of space travel. Alex Nagy’s older sister, Sarah Nagy, previously attended to space camp as a Paisley student, which inspired Alex and experience the program himself. Nagy said acting as the commander of the space shuttle ‘Orbiter’ was his most enjoyable experience.
For more information, visit www.spacecamp.com