Twenty-five students from Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Clearview Christian School participated in Space Camp/Aviation Challenge last month in Huntsville, Ala.
The weeklong program included training on astronaut simulators, flying shuttle missions, fighter jet simulations, water survival skills, building and launching rockets, programming and building competitive robots from LEGOs, completing team challenges on low ropes and studying space exploration history.
Each of the students chose a program track and were teamed with other young people from across the country and several foreign countries. During graduation ceremonies, several students and teams from Rowan County were recognized.
The Aldrin Team, which participated in Space Camp only, won the Best Mission Award for overall superior performance on its Space Shuttle mission simulation. Team members included Micah Ann Furr of Morgan Elementary and Jordan Osborne and Amelia Steinman, both of Hurley Elementary.
The Gear Team, which participated in Space Camp and Robotics, achieved the highest score ó 13,100 points ó in the Space Bowl competition. Members included Jessica Davis and Brienne Leach of China Grove Elementary, Emily Seaford of Granite Quarry Elementary and Sara Slingerland of Shive Elementary.The Earhart Team, which participated in Space Camp and Aviation, achieved the highest team score in the fighter jet simulators. Team members included J.P. Barringer of Bostian, Hunter Carlton of Hurley, Kristi Russell of Landis and Ellis Taylor of Rockwell Elementary
The Lightning Team, which participated in the Mach 1/Aviation Challenge, won the Admiral’s Cup given to the Outstanding Mach 1 team. Michael Bramblett Jr. and Bryson Langford of Shive Elementary were team members.Langford was named Top Gun for the Lightning Team with the highest individual score on the fighter jet simulators.
The Atlas Team, which participated in Space Academy only, included Alicia Barlow of Corriher-Lipe Middle, Cody Brown of China Grove Middle and John Steelman of West Rowan Middle.
The Axle Team, which participated in Space Academy and Robotics, included Cameron Crowell and Alex Osterweil of Southeast Middle.The Orville Team, which participated in Space Academy and Aviation, won the Best Mission Award for overall superior performance on its Space Shuttle mission simulation.
Team members included Dylan Auten of North Rowan Middle, Logan Haas of Erwin Middle, Dylan Morgan and Zack Oster of Clearview Christian, Kaylyn Pogson of West Rowan Middle and John Haile Young of Knox Middle.
Morgan was named King of the Hill for the Orville Team with the highest individual score on the fighter jet simulators.
The Hornet Team, which participated in the Mach 2/Aviation Challenge, won the Admiral’s Cup for being the Outstanding Mach 2 Team. Members included Dallas Long of Erwin Middle.
Chaperones traveling with the students were Gerry Brown, Crystal Bullock and Patsy Wilson.
Wilson, science specialist and director of the Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium at Horizons Unlimited, said the Space Camp/Aviation Challenge is open to any student in Rowan County public and private schools. Trips are planned a year in advance.
Though scholarship money is not available, Wilson said she offers fundraising tips for students who want to try to raise enough money to cover the cost.
Parents are also allowed to make monthly or quarterly payments on the cost. Interest meetings will be held next spring for parents and students wanting to find out more about the 2011 trip.
For more information, contact Wilson at 704-639-3004, ext. 112, or by e-mail at wilsonpk@rss.k12.nc.us.