Two Palmerston College girls have won highly coveted spots on a US Space Camp thanks to their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills.
Palmerston College is one of just four Australian schools invited to attend the six-day July camp at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama.
This is the first time in the Space Camp’s 37-year history that a Northern Territory school has been chosen to attend.
Aspiring astronaut and Year 8 student Krishi Patel, who hopes to one day work for NASA, and Year 7 student Ella Hite, who is interested in the geology of planets, are off on the once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Over the six days, the pair will join other students from all over the world to develop their STEM skills by learning firsthand about the future of space travel, training like an astronaut, completing simulation space shuttle missions and designing, building and launching a team rocket.
Other schools with students attending this year include Aviation State High School in Brisbane, and Sydney’s Elizabeth MacArthur High School and Seven Hills High School.
Palmerston College science teacher Sharon Emery will accompany Krishi and Ella, and will also undertake her own NASA-inspired learning for use in the classroom when she returns.
The teacher and the two students will travel on scholarships fully funded by global aerospace and security company, Northrop Grumman Australia.
For more information about Space Camp go to www.spacecamp.com.au
Quotes attributable to NT Chief Minister and Minister for Children, Michael Gunner:
“Space is no longer an unattainable dream for young Territorians.
“We have NASA ready to launch rockets from Arnhem Land. We have our own Territory Space Industry 2020 strategy. We have businesses working in the space technology industry.
“We have students going off to Space Camp, with many more learning the skills to secure jobs of the future through our five-year STEM in the NT strategy.
“We’ve also opened a $12.7 million Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Centre at Taminmin College, with construction underway on a $15.9 million Centre at Darwin High School.
“The planets are aligning for the Territory to become a real player in the space industry, creating jobs for our children and providing another industry stream for our economy.
“The future is certainly bright.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Selena Uibo:
“Krishi and Ella’s selection for Space Camp, the first students chosen in NT history, is a wonderful endorsement of not only their own STEM skills, but the excellent work being done in STEM at Palmerston College and in all our Territory schools.
“An estimated 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations worldwide require STEM skills and knowledge.
"Unlike the CLP Government, who cut teacher numbers and slashed the education budget, we will always invest in education, to give all our Territory kids bright futures.”
Quotes attributable to Palmerston College Science Teacher, Sharon Every:
“This is a once in life time opportunity for Ella and Krishi. I believe we will return with such enthusiasm and knowledge of space that we will be able to inspire others as we share our adventure.
“I look forward to enriching our science and STEM curriculum with hands-on activities that can only come from real life experiences that will motivate and engage Palmerston College students.”
Media contact: Cameron Angus 0404 021 192 (Chief Minister), Kim Stephens 0417 683 144 (Minister Uibo)
For quotes attributable to Northrop Grumman Australia’s Chief Executive, Mr Chris Deeble, please contact CMAX Advisory elyssa@cmaxadvisory.com.au or (02) 6161 8627.