Space Academy: Huntsville, Alabama

Students will come on board this Winterim trip as Space Academy trainees. We will fly into Huntsville, Alabama, and take a shuttle to the Huntsville Space & Rocket Center, where each student will experience what it is like to be an astronaut and the physical and mental training that goes into completing their space mission. Students will even get to bunk in a model of the International Space Station! 

The training activities are based on NASA astronaut training with a focus on teamwork and leadership skills. Students learn astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s astronaut program. Students will cultivate teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills through simulated missions. Students will attend a graduation ceremony on Friday, where group and individual awards will be given based on performances during the week. 

The Space Academy curriculum includes:

  • Launch on missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, or Mars

  • Train like an astronaut on the 1/6th Gravity Chair and the Multi-Axis Trainer

  • Design, build and launch a team rocket

  • Learn team-building skills on the two elements at our Space Camp Challenge Course and in one of the water facilities

  • Develop and use creative thinking skills to solve problems during an engineering design challenge. 

Educational Goals:

  1. Train like a NASA astronaut to solve technically challenging anomalies in order to complete a space mission

  2. Practice clear communication through aquatic team-building activities and leadership training at the Space Camp Challenge Course 

  3. Develop and apply engineering skills to construct an ablative shield during the Thermal Design Challenge

  4. Cultivate teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills through simulated missions

  5. Learn about aerospace career opportunities

Instructors: Elizabeth Perez and Jen Bamesberger

Open to: Grades 6-8

Limit: 14 students    

Cost: $2980

Dates: Sunday, March 7 - Friday, March 12