Space Academy: Huntsville, Alabama

Students will join 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, including the physical and mental training required to complete a space mission. Students will even get to bunk in a model of the International Space Station!

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

The Space Academy curriculum includes:

  • Launching missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, or Mars.

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

  • Designing, building, and launching a team rocket.

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

  • Developing and using creative thinking skills to problem-solve during an engineering design challenge.

  • Hearing inspiring stories about commercial pioneers like Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX.

Educational Goals:

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

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

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

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

  • Learn about aerospace career opportunities.

Instructors: Katie Terry and Greg Hansen
Open to: Grades 6–8
Limit: 16 students
Cost: $2,525
Dates: Sunday, March 8 - Friday, March 13