By Community Contributor Union Ridge School District 86
A seventh grader from Union Ridge School in Harwood Heights will be among those attending Space Academy in August. Nicole Woloszyn was selected as part of the University of Illinois Extension Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Team chosen from Cook County for the trip to Huntsville, Alabama. Academically advanced students from the county's seventh, eighth and ninth grades were picked based on application, achievement and teacher recommendation
"I have taught Nicole for several years in the gifted education program at Union Ridge," says JoAnn Wilk, Gifted Education Coordinator at Union Ridge School. "Nicole is most deserving of this opportunity. She is an example of what a well-rounded student should be! She excels not only in math and science areas, but is also a spectacular writer."
Woloszyn's science teacher, Catherine Lenzini, notes the student is consistently able to see how the classroom applies to the real world. "Nicole is a wonderful student who never ceases to amaze me. I'm actually quite envious of her - she gets to go to space camp! How cool is that at any age?"
Space Academy is designed to be both educational and exhilarating. The program incorporates real-world applications of STEM education. Students prepare to become the new generation of lunar explorers, with hands-on activities that place them in the role of spacecraft designers/mission controllers and astronauts.
Students take a simulated walk on the moon in the 1/6th gravity chair to gain understanding of what it is like to work in a frictionless environment in a manned maneuvering unit. They also build and launch a two-stage model rocket and gain teamwork and management skills at Area 51, the leadership reaction course. Students are equipped with modern spaceflight knowledge as they prepare to be future space pioneers.
Woloszyn will attend three prep sessions in the Chicago area prior to the five-day Academy in Alabama.