Grammar Gazette - Issue 2, 2023

1

Taking FLIGHT

THE US SPACE TRIP OPENS THE UNIVERSE TO STUDENTS

I n the early 1990s, Head Girl, Karrie Shaw (Orr, 1992), approached the School’s Director of Science, Dr Sally Stephens, to pitch the idea of an international opportunity for Science students. After being deeply inspired by a French international exchange, Karrie wondered whether Science students could similarly benefit from the immersive, challenging, affirming experience of educational travel. This idea was the seed from which Dr Stephens would grow the US Space Trip program—now one of the School’s longest-running and most favoured tours. The Space Trip has been on offer at Brisbane Girls Grammar School every second year since 1993, with the exception of 2021.

Girls also completed rocket-building exercises, and took part in Scuba diving, high-ropes courses, and team challenges. Girls formed close bonds with their teams and enduring friendships with other students from across the globe, who share a common interest in space travel. Students Naomi Dooley (12E), Sophie List (11E), and Emma Spork (12W), reflected on their experiences at Space Camp. ‘It was really lovely to meet people who were like-minded and enjoyed the same things as you,’ Naomi said. Emma said she felt personally stretched by the challenges of the week. ‘I feel so much more mature, and more self-assured after a lot of the tasks and team-building activities we did.’ Alongside interpersonal opportunities, girls gained insights into the historical impact and breadth of space exploration and travel—including aspects that are not typically covered under the Secondary Science curriculum. ‘I learned how complicated and in depth the space industry is, both publicly, through NASA, and privately, such as Virgin Galactic, Boeing, and Blue Origin … there are so many different layers, and so many people and organisations that make amazing things to happen,’ Sophie said. Naomi concurred, saying ‘we learned a lot about the history and operations of space companies—not only NASA, but the Soviet Union’s space missions during the Cold War … learning about something so different from what I’ve known before was really interesting.’

During the June/July holidays, 45 students embarked upon the tour, visiting the United States Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama, the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, and other significant sites in California and Washington, D.C. During the trip, students explored aerospace and aeronautical technologies while also enjoying educational, cultural and historical experiences. SPACE CAMP The trip’s focal point and highlight was a one-week residential camp at the United States Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Students participated in one of two programs— Advanced Space Academy or Aviation Challenge Mach III —and were introduced to important aspects of space travel, air force training, and mission coordination. In the Advanced Space Academy Program, students completed astronaut training exercises, engineering challenges and team-building activities in preparation for a simulated space mission to the moon. Aviation Challenge Mach III participants used state-of-the-art simulators to test and enhance their jet handling skills, and completed a rescue mission for ‘prisoners of war’.

2

4

GAZETTE • ISSUE 2, 2023 ISSUE 2, 2023

BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL