“We’re going to die!” thought Louis Brogan as he helped man a shuttle launch simulation at Whitefield’s Space Camp adventure for fifth graders. Classmates were counting down the time to lift-off, monitoring the weather, and preparing to do onsite experiments for the voyage.
Space Camp is a three-day field trip for fifth graders held annually at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Founded in 1982, the Center promotes the study of math, science, and technology. While at the camp, Whitefield students divided into teams and each team participated in a one-hour shuttle launch simulation. Students acted as shuttle commanders, pilots, mission specialists, payload specialists, station commanders, and scientists. Teams monitored the progress and safety of their mission, launched and landed the spacecraft, and conducted scientific experiments in the space station while learning basic scientific principles.
“I was the flight commander in mission control,” said Faith Jones. “The exercise actually made you feel like you were on a real mission. I had to tell the shuttle commander what do to fix the shuttle when it broke down.”
Students also learned about the past, present, and future of space exploration by touring the facility’s museum. On display were the capsules that early astronauts used during their missions as well as the Saturn V which NASA built to send people to the moon.
“I couldn’t believe that the Saturn V was so big,” said Lee Wickham. “It was the craft that got Neil Armstrong to the moon and was huge.”
Students also experienced walking on the moon in the camp’s gravity chair and what it feels like to work in a frictionless environment. A favorite simulator called the Space Shot imitated 4Gs of liftoff force.
“Space Shot was my favorite,” said Sam Becker, “You start going up very slowly, then it shoots you straight up FAST! At the top you feel free and weightless, like you are floating. Then it shots you back down, back up, and back down again.”
Students experienced a special treat when they were able to ride simulators that were brand new to the facility. Whitefield kids were some of the first students to ride a Humvee and helicopter simulator.
Mission teams were evaluated on the completion of their mission and Whitefield took top honors during the camp’s graduation ceremony because of their scores.
“In order to win these top honors, we had to complete four experiments, enter data results for all experiments, and stay on track during the simulated mission. Aiden Bowman provided the winning answer for his team’s top honors,” said Christy Dixon, fifth-grade teacher.
Here are some more thoughts from fifth-graders who attended the camp:
Space Shot was really fun. You go up really fast and your stomach gets that butterfly feeling. – Kailey Williams
Inside the Hummer jeep was just like a real Army jeep. There were PlayStation controllers to play games. You could stand up inside the jeep and shoot a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). – Danny Megathlin
The engine failed on my mission and I had to fix it. Jessie (Sutherland) went out onto the moon to check on things. I was excited that I was able to land the shuttle successfully. – Mady Kendrick
I was in mission control. I had to count down the liftoff and watch the weather to make sure things were safe.<.i> – Kimberly Kassis
I was a mission specialist. I had to get on these moving chairs and then secure a pole outside then attach a ball to it. It was hard because the chairs really limited your movements. – Louis Brogan
Space Camp is a three-day field trip for fifth graders held annually at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Founded in 1982, the Center promotes the study of math, science, and technology. While at the camp, Whitefield students divided into teams and each team participated in a one-hour shuttle launch simulation. Students acted as shuttle commanders, pilots, mission specialists, payload specialists, station commanders, and scientists. Teams monitored the progress and safety of their mission, launched and landed the spacecraft, and conducted scientific experiments in the space station while learning basic scientific principles.
“I was the flight commander in mission control,” said Faith Jones. “The exercise actually made you feel like you were on a real mission. I had to tell the shuttle commander what do to fix the shuttle when it broke down.”
Students also learned about the past, present, and future of space exploration by touring the facility’s museum. On display were the capsules that early astronauts used during their missions as well as the Saturn V which NASA built to send people to the moon.
“I couldn’t believe that the Saturn V was so big,” said Lee Wickham. “It was the craft that got Neil Armstrong to the moon and was huge.”
Students also experienced walking on the moon in the camp’s gravity chair and what it feels like to work in a frictionless environment. A favorite simulator called the Space Shot imitated 4Gs of liftoff force.
“Space Shot was my favorite,” said Sam Becker, “You start going up very slowly, then it shoots you straight up FAST! At the top you feel free and weightless, like you are floating. Then it shots you back down, back up, and back down again.”
Students experienced a special treat when they were able to ride simulators that were brand new to the facility. Whitefield kids were some of the first students to ride a Humvee and helicopter simulator.
Mission teams were evaluated on the completion of their mission and Whitefield took top honors during the camp’s graduation ceremony because of their scores.
“In order to win these top honors, we had to complete four experiments, enter data results for all experiments, and stay on track during the simulated mission. Aiden Bowman provided the winning answer for his team’s top honors,” said Christy Dixon, fifth-grade teacher.
Here are some more thoughts from fifth-graders who attended the camp:
Space Shot was really fun. You go up really fast and your stomach gets that butterfly feeling. – Kailey Williams
Inside the Hummer jeep was just like a real Army jeep. There were PlayStation controllers to play games. You could stand up inside the jeep and shoot a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). – Danny Megathlin
The engine failed on my mission and I had to fix it. Jessie (Sutherland) went out onto the moon to check on things. I was excited that I was able to land the shuttle successfully. – Mady Kendrick
I was in mission control. I had to count down the liftoff and watch the weather to make sure things were safe.<.i> – Kimberly Kassis
I was a mission specialist. I had to get on these moving chairs and then secure a pole outside then attach a ball to it. It was hard because the chairs really limited your movements. – Louis Brogan