Science is a hands-on field of study. Kids need to do it to learn it. That’s where Space Week comes in.
Becoming the next generation of NASA astronauts was a goal on the minds of many of the 700 Brevard County sixth-graders who came out for the first day of Brevard Space Week at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
The event, in its fifth year, teaches students about the importance and fun of math and science by showing how the subjects come alive at NASA.
Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Schools Foundation, Delaware North Parks and Resorts and Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. The program costs about $100,000 but the money comes from grants and donations by local businesses and technology companies and not the district budget, said Ed Short, the district’s elementary science resource teacher.
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Shuttle astronaut Jon McBride presented an overview of Project Constellation, explaining how Orion, the new crew exploration vehicle — as well as the Ares 1 and Ares 5 rockets — will take astronauts and supplies to the moon.
McBride reminded students that they could be the commanders of these missions, but only if they focus on their education.
“You only get one chance,” he said. “These six or seven years are very important. Don’t mess it up.”
