Out of this World

Wallace Middle School student Vivian Spanswick recently fulfilled a dream of hers by attending Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Spanswick, along with other Team Phobos members, participated in a weeklong educational program promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while training students with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and problem solving.

“I’ve always loved space,” Spanswick said. “But I was watching a show and one of the characters went to Space Camp. I immediately wanted to go.”

Space Camp is specifically designed for trainees who have a passion for space exploration. Though Spanswick hopes to pursue a career in chemistry, she does also dream of traveling into space someday, with the possibility of a mission to Mars.

Spanswick spent her week training with a team that flew a simulated space mission to the International Space Station, the Moon or Mars. The crew participated in experiments and successfully completed an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk. Spanswick and crew returned to earth in time to graduate with honors.

As a STEM student, Spanswick feels motivated to study science as a way to improve life for future generations, and that desire extends beyond the earth. “I think that the world is an interesting place,” she said. “I want to see all of it. I want to see the stars. Touch the moon.”

Space Camp uses astronaut training techniques to engage trainees in real-world applications of STEM subjects. Students sleep in quarters designed to resemble the ISS and train in simulators like those used by NASA.

“I got to do mission control and put on a space suit,” Spanswick said.

For this and many other reasons, Spanswick recommends fellow students to participate in Space Camp.

“Go,” she said. “Even if you don’t like space, you can experience the wonders of the world. You can learn about the amazing people and you can make some amazing friends.”

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is home of Space Camp, Space Camp Robotics, Aviation Challenge and U.S. Cyber Camp. The Rocket Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Official Visitor Center.

Almost 1 million trainees have graduated from a Space Camp program since its inception in 1982, including European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and NASA astronauts Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Dr. Kate Rubins, Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Christina Koch, who set the record for the longest duration space flight by a female. Children and teachers from all 50 states and almost 150 international locations have attended a Space Camp program.

For information about training like an astronaut, visit spacecamp.com or call 1-800-637-7223.

“I think that the world is an interesting place and I want to see all of it. I want to see all the stars. Touch the moon.”

– Vivian Spanswick