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Wykham Park sixth formers experience NASA space adventure
15/11/2022
Pupils were given behind-the-scenes access to NASA facilities and resources
Year 13 pupils from Wykham Park Academy joined a handful of their peers from schools across the Aspirations Academies Trust for the once-in-a-lifetime space adventure.
The sixth formers made a trip to NASA – resuming trips that were last made before the pandemic.
Students toured the Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers and the real, life-size versions of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo rocket capsules.
The itinerary included talks designed to provide an insight into life at NASA and included an afternoon with Ginger Kerrick, NASA’s first female and Hispanic flight director. She gave a talk about her journey towards her senior role, recounting her experiences, struggles and triumphs during her long and extraordinary career.
Networking dinners were organised to include conversations with NASA scientists and engineers to inspire students to pursue a career in the space industry.
During a visit to the George W.S Abbey rocket park students met Matt Gillilan, a member of NASA’s SWAT team. Items on display included three launch-ready Saturn V rockets, which had been left over from the Apollo program which was cancelled in the early 1970s.
The final day of the week-long trip involved a tour of prestigious Rice University and a lecture about the habitability of planets and how to spot them.
Simon Sterland, Operational Lead of the NASA trip and a teacher at Wykham Park Academy, said: “This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students. Money cannot buy what happens on these trips. They are organised especially for our Aspirations Academies Trust pupils and they are given behind-the-scenes access of NASA facilities and resources. They are also able to meet NASA employees which is a great networking opportunity for them.
“A lot of time is invested by the experts that we meet in getting to know our students and trying to help them. A trip like this allows our students to see the possibilities open to them; it is life-changing.”
Students Natalie Yeap and Archie Brown were chosen to attend from Wykham Park Academy and were keen to share their highlights from the trip.
Natalie said: “NASA’s first female and Hispanic flight director Ginger Kerrick gave an inspiring and insightful talk about her journey towards her senior role, recounting her experiences, struggles and triumphs during her long, extraordinary career.
“A particularly compelling story was the challenges she faced in her pursuit of studying physics, being obstructed by a teacher due to his misogynistic views.
“Ginger also explained her vision for the future of manned spaceflight, her transition to working with a company in the space industry and the skills needed to work as flight director. She emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence, communication and leadership strength.
“The NASA trip was a fantastic experience and really opened our eyes to the opportunities available to us.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam