HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 4, 2016 – A group of teachers and education majors from the Triad are suiting up in NASA space suits and studying rocketry together at space camp.
Eight graduate students from High Point University and seven teachers from Thomasville City Schools have traveled to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for two weeks of hands-on learning at the Space Academy for Educators. The Thomasville teachers and HPU students have been working together throughout the year thanks to an ongoing Math Science Partnership funded by a grant from the Department of Education.
Over the course of two weeks, they’ll complete scuba diving exercises to learn about weight in space, embark on a flight simulation and work with NASA astronauts on a variety of missions. Their goal is to find new ways to implement STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and space exploration studies in their classrooms.
“This camp has been incredibly challenging,” Anne Manor, a kindergarten teacher at Thomasville Primary School, says. “The experience is eye-opening as a teacher seeing engaged learning all around us at the Space and Rocket Center.”
The HPU students are part of a master’s program focused on STEM.
“Space camp has opened our minds to new, engaging ways to present STEM lessons using integrative content,” says student Taylor Niss. “Finding new ways to engage students in STEM is inspiring for us, but what we’re looking forward to the most is inspiring children in the classroom.”
The trip is led by Dr. Shirley Disseler and Dr. Tess Hegedus, both professors in the School of Education.
“Our goal is to ignite passion for STEM learning,” says Disseler, who’s organized the trip three times now. “The participants are reaching beyond their comfort zone in mission simulations and challenges. They have had the privilege to meet current and former astronauts as well as the founder of the Space and Rocket Center.”