CASE Space School at NASA!

"My dream is to become a Mission Specialist astronaut and this camp will give me an opportunity to learn more about this and to meet people who are working in the field." Ashley Frater, Year 9

CASE Space School at NASA is currently providing 27 girls from Canberra with an unforgettable STEM experience as 293 students from 44 girls’ schools across the country are enjoying their Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia trip, in partnership with Actura.

Dubbed ‘youth astronaut training’ the two-week hands-on program promotes dynamic teamwork skills as the girls work together on simulated missions to repair the international space station, design a Mars habitat, experience limited gravity training, learn forensics, discover NASA technologies and explore personal growth skills.

Loretta Wholley, Merici College's Principal, attended the Space Camp along with students in 2016 and said it was a great opportunity for students to grow and progress as leaders. “Students get involved a variety of activities that really allow them to see STEM in action whilst also marvelling at the universe and considering our own place in it, It’s thrilling that our students can have this unique educational experience in which they will acquire new skills to equip them for the rapidly changing workplace the future".

Year 9 Merici College student Ashley Frater said the Space Camp could help her to achieve her dreams of becoming an astronaut. “My dream is to become a Mission Specialist astronaut and this camp will give me an opportunity to learn more about this and to meet people who are working in the field,” said Ashley. “I really like science, physics and maths and am currently studying engineering, all of which I believe will help me to achieve my goal,”

The trip is split into a Junior Space School, for students from Years 7-9 and Senior Space School for students from Years 10-12

Some of the trip highlights:

Junior Space School

  • Tour the Johnson Space Centre – NASA’s leading facility
  • Mission training – limited gravity trainer
  • Teamwork to solve simulated missions
    • Landing a rover on Mars
    • Construct and launch a rocket
  • CSI style forensics course
  • Space suits, living in space and the shuttle program
  • Meet a NASA astronaut

Space University

  • Visit the Space Lab
  • Formulate budgets for their own space mission
  • Learn about NASA robotics and Robonaut technology
  • VIP tour of the Space Centre in Houston
  • Teamwork to solve simulated missions
    • Design a Mars rover including landing parachutes and thermal heat shields
    • Design a Mars habitat

ACT schools taking part in the trip:

Canberra Girls’ Grammar School

St Clare’s College

Merici College

Space Camp is organised as a partnership between the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia and Actura.

www.agsa.org.au                               www.actura.com.au

About the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia

The Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia is a leading voice for the advancement of girls’ education. We advocate for and support the distinctive work of girls’ schools in their provision of unparalleled opportunities for girls. We contribute to the development and promotion of education in Australasia and the empowerment of young women to reach their potential and become influential contributors to our complex and changing world.

 

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