The sky is no limit for Young Astronauts

A growing number of Hamilton County students are taking their noses out of science books and raising their eyes to the skies. County schools are taking advantage of students' growing interest in space exploration by incorporating space studies into their science curriculum.

Students are going to space centers, building rockets, having meetings outside of class time and even going to space camp.Students are going to space centers, building rockets, having meetings outside of class time and even going to space camp.

The Young Astronauts club in Noblesville is preparing for take-off this weekend. The club, made up of first- through fourth-graders, meets
before and after the school day.

On Friday, Young Astronauts from Stony Creek Elementary and White River Elementary will spend the night at Stony Creek for an overnight
dedicated to studying space.

Students will work as a team, which is a very important part of the space program, said Mrs. Karen Goldstein, the club sponsor. They will build
rockets, taste dehydrated space food, camp out on the gym floor and watch videos of real space excursions.

Mrs. Goldstein has been sponsoring the program for 13 years in Noblesville. She said several of her students go on to science-related majors in
college.

She also takes students each year to space camp. Ninety-three fourth-grade students from Stony Creek, Hazel Dell, Forest Hill and White River elementaries will go to space camp March 24 through 26 in Huntsville, Ala.

The space camp encourages students to develop an interest in math and science, Mrs. Goldstein said.

"It seems that kids today have weak math and science skills," said Mrs. Goldstein, a learning disabilities teacher at Stony Creek.

"The kids love this program. While they are there, they don't realize they are using science skills."

Fishers' Sand Creek Intermediate School sixth-graders recently returned from the Brownsburg Challenge Space Center. The school takes sixth-graders to the space center in Brownsburg every year.

"The trip raises their interest in space," said Mr. Andy Alka, assistant principal. "Initially, they're hesitant, but once they get there, they
are so involved and on task, it's neat."

In their classes, students prepare for six weeks learning specific duties they are to perform once they get to the space center.

They check the air pressure on their ship, the vital signs of all crew members aboard and work as teams to ensure their flights are a success.

"It makes them realize they need to read and follow directions," said Mr. Alka, "If they don't, they risk the lives of everyone on board the
ship."

Mr. Alka, who taught science for seven years, said the Center treats each activity as if it were the real thing.

"It's really played up pretty nicely," he said. "It definitely piques their interests. Weíre already booked for next year."

(Reprinted with permission from The Daily Ledger)