Two students and a teacher from a Sunshine Coast school are counting down to a stellar experience at a space camp in the United States.
Maroochydore State High School Year 8 students Harry Brennan and Bailen Rouse-Upjohn, along with teacher Nicholas Gates, have been selected to attend the camp at Huntsville, Alabama, through the school’s Northrop Grumman Foundation scholarship program.
Mr Gates said they were looking forward to the adventure from July 1 to 7.
“It is every aerospace engineering student’s, and teacher’s, dream to experience NASA Space Camp – an entire week filled with real-life engineering and space exploration challenges including deep tank immersions, space suits, gyroscopic effects on human body, space shuttle piloting simulators, robotics and rocket systems,” he said.
“It doesn’t get any better, or any more real, than Space Camp at the Space and Rocket Center.
“I am excited our students will extend their current aerospace interests and learnings from our own aerospace program here at Maroochydore and take it to a whole new level.
“Our students will be housed at NASA Space Camp for seven days and meet other aerospace students from all over the world.
“Our trip has been sponsored by Northrop Grumman, a cutting-edge aerospace company that has a strong history in aerospace.
“Northrop Grumman currently produces, amongst many aerospace engineering projects, the rocket boosters for the Artemis Rocket, heading back to the moon.
“Harry and Bailen said that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they are excited to be a part of the many challenges and experiments, especially learning about aerodynamics.”
Space Camp was founded in 1982 as the US Space and Rocket Center museum’s education program, to promote the study of math, science and technology.
Trainees experience astronaut simulators, take command of a mission to the International Space Station and develop leadership and teamwork skills.
Maroochydore State High principal David Samaha said the camp offered unique opportunities.
“Space Camp will be an incredible experience for participants to explore the wonders of space and for teachers who want to generate more excitement in the classroom by using tools and resources they gain during camp,” he said.
Maroochydore State High is a member of the state government-supported Aerospace Gateway Industry Schools Program. Participating schools partner with the industry to proactively engage and inspire students to consider a skilled, diverse and sustainable career in aerospace or related industries.
Mr Samaha said the Northrop Grumman Foundation’s scholarship program helped deserving students to have an experience of a lifetime.
“Northrop’s partnership with the Space Camp program supports their education strategy in exciting, engaging and inspiring middle school students and their teachers in STEM,” he said.
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