MONROE - Not many of us get to experience space, or even simulate space. However, four Monroe middle school students were recently able to do just that by attending space camp.
The students, Shannon Rabtoski, seventh grade; Casey Kehoe, seventh grade; John Steiner, seventh grade; and Erin Gellings, eighth grade, got to spend a few days participating in space-related activities, heard from various speakers on the subject; and viewed different historical markers related to the space program.
Their trip to the camp in Huntsville, Ala. was sponsored by their 4-H member clubs.
The students left Madison at 11 a.m. April 14, and after resting for the night in Scottsburg, Indiana, arrived at the U.S. Space Center around 12:30 p.m. that Friday. The four were assigned to various groups, each with a Space Center chaperone.
Right away they discovered there were an assortment of 4-H members from a wide variety of locations.
"There were kids from Canada," Rabtoski said.
While in their groups, each student experienced various activities at different times. Among the most interesting of them for students, or at least for three of them, was The Space Shot TM Simulator, which allowed them to experience weightlessness and lift-off at 4 Gs.
"I'm not one for heights," Kehoe said.
"It was amazing," Gellings said.
The students also enjoyed an IMAX movie, "Legends of Flight," where they learned about the Boeing 787.
Building a model rocket was a highlight to the students, and provided some excitement.
"One of ours went backwards and almost hit an RV," Rabtoski said.
Before leaving on Sunday, the students attended Space Ball, a Jeopardy-like program with space questions.
"I think our team dominated," Steiner said.
The students arrived home early Monday, April 18.
In order to attend the trip, 4-H members had a to endure a lengthy selection process.
"There were a lot of forms," Rabtoski said.
"Our whole kitchen table was filled with them," Gellings said.
Students also were interviewed in-person in October, and had to participate in a tele-conference.
Rabtoski, Kehoe and Gellings are members of the Young Americans 4-H and Steiner is a member of the Clarno 4-H.
The students, Shannon Rabtoski, seventh grade; Casey Kehoe, seventh grade; John Steiner, seventh grade; and Erin Gellings, eighth grade, got to spend a few days participating in space-related activities, heard from various speakers on the subject; and viewed different historical markers related to the space program.
Their trip to the camp in Huntsville, Ala. was sponsored by their 4-H member clubs.
The students left Madison at 11 a.m. April 14, and after resting for the night in Scottsburg, Indiana, arrived at the U.S. Space Center around 12:30 p.m. that Friday. The four were assigned to various groups, each with a Space Center chaperone.
Right away they discovered there were an assortment of 4-H members from a wide variety of locations.
"There were kids from Canada," Rabtoski said.
While in their groups, each student experienced various activities at different times. Among the most interesting of them for students, or at least for three of them, was The Space Shot TM Simulator, which allowed them to experience weightlessness and lift-off at 4 Gs.
"I'm not one for heights," Kehoe said.
"It was amazing," Gellings said.
The students also enjoyed an IMAX movie, "Legends of Flight," where they learned about the Boeing 787.
Building a model rocket was a highlight to the students, and provided some excitement.
"One of ours went backwards and almost hit an RV," Rabtoski said.
Before leaving on Sunday, the students attended Space Ball, a Jeopardy-like program with space questions.
"I think our team dominated," Steiner said.
The students arrived home early Monday, April 18.
In order to attend the trip, 4-H members had a to endure a lengthy selection process.
"There were a lot of forms," Rabtoski said.
"Our whole kitchen table was filled with them," Gellings said.
Students also were interviewed in-person in October, and had to participate in a tele-conference.
Rabtoski, Kehoe and Gellings are members of the Young Americans 4-H and Steiner is a member of the Clarno 4-H.