Space Education Adventures Trip to NASA 2011

9 extremely lucky students return to Callington afer an exciting visit to NASA

 

It is not often that students will give up a week off to take part in a school activity, but then a trip to NASA isn't exactly your average school trip.  During the October half term nine students from Callington Community College were joined by six others from Rivers Academy, West London and Harris City Academy, Crystal Palace, for an out-of-this world experience with the Space Education Adventures group in the USA. 

Having undergone a tough selection process the students were prepared for an action-packed twelve days and they really were! First stop was the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and a sneaky peek at some of the latest NASA developments, including a look at the ‘house' they plan on sending to the moon!  For the students though the highlights were by far the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Saturn 5 rocket, responsible for getting man to the moon and then an all access pass to the floor of Historic Mission Control, from where the first and last mission to put man on the moon was controlled and from where the famous Apollo 13 was spectacularly rescued.  However, the excitement did not stop there, as the students had several encounters with past and present astronauts and engineers, including Scott Kelly, Commander of the 26^th Expedition to the International Space Station and some of those currently working on the new Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle which is hoped will take the next manned mission to the moon and beyond.

The trip continued in Florida, where the students visited the Kennedy Space Centre and Astronaut Training Experience.  The alligator infested rivers were not enough to put these students off as they explored the launch pad and famous Vehicle Assembly Building at the Space Centre, where they were treated to unexpected encounter with the Space Shuttle Endeavour as it was being prepared for its new home in the Californian Institute of Science  since the Shuttle Programme was brought to an end this July  However, NASA still need astronauts and at the Astronaut Training Experience the students proved their potential, taking part in a simulated mission to dock with the International Space Station and getting in a spin on the Tri Axis Gyroscopic simulator.

All of the students newly acquired knowledge was put to good use on a visit to the local Pearl Hall Elementary School, where they helped Grade 3 and 4 children build air and water rockets, much to their delight! The English students also got the opportunity to visit Cocoa Beach High School to meet students their own age and sample the cultural differences of school-life in America. They were then invited to go along and support the High School at an American Football game, which they won.  Go Beach!!

Overall, a truly unforgettable, but inspirational experience.  The Shuttle Programme may have come to an end but with NASA planning future explorations of Mars and meteors, don't rule out the chance of seeing one of these students heading into space.