Local youths to reach for the stars at U.S. astronaut training centre

Two Georgetown youths will get a taste of what it's like to be astronauts next week. Grade 8 Silver Creek Public School students Laura Crawford and Myke Stevens will fly off Sunday for six days at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. While there they will go through astronaut qualification training on the multi-axis trainer that spins them around just like the astronauts. They will train like the Apollo astronauts did for their trip to the moon by taking a walk in the 1/16th gravity chair, and they'll strap on a jet backpack and maneuver around on a cushion of air. The two local youths will also sample space food, learn how to sleep and go to the bathroom in space. They will also build and launch their own rocket and put their skills and teamwork to the test in a two hour space shuttle mission after they receive their mission assignments and training. They will be trained as either pilots or commanders and will learn all the switches and displays in the cockpit. Mission specialists will learn about space suits and walking in space on

an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) where they might be asked to repair the Hubble Space telescope or construct part of the space station. The crew will also train to perform several scientific experiments, and be trained in all operations of the space station. "I'm very excited," said Crawford, who found out just before Christmas she was going to the centre. "I've always had a dream to be an astronaut or a pilot." Stevens is also looking forward to the camp. "I've always wanted to see earth from space," said Stevens. "Thank you to everyone who raised money for me." "Thank you to Mr. Shewfelt, without him we couldn't have the opportunity," added Crawford. Grade 8 teacher John Shewfelt attended the Space & Rocket Center for a week last June through a scholarship provided to 100 teachers by Honeywell Hometown Solutions Foundation. While there, he was named the Astronaut with the Right Stuff and as a result Honeywell offered to sponsor one of his students to attend the space academy.

Wanting to send another student as well, Shewfelt said $2,300 was raised at the school to cover that cost. The students were chosen in part for the enthusiasm they showed when he presented his students with what he learned during his visit to the

academy, said Shewfelt. "I had a blast," said Shewfelt of his visit. He's hoping to be chosen to attend Advanced Space Camp for Educators this June.