High school students interested in participating in a space-based program still have the opportunity to do so. A joint partnership by the Midland Development Corporation and Midland Independent School District (ISD) allows 8th to 12th graders to sign up for Go For Launch! at Abell Junior High.
According to a Higher Orbits news release, retired NASA astronaut JR Reilly will lead students in the summer enrichment program on June 11 and 12. The event will be the first of three events that take place as part of Go For Launch! Midland's Apollo series throughout the school year.
"Midland Development Corporation is proud to support Higher Orbits and the Go for Launch! program for another year," says Sarah Harris of the Midland Development Corporation. "With new projects coming from the Midland Spaceport, Go For Launch! works in conjunction to introduce Midland students to the exciting possibilities of the aerospace industry."
Harris continues, "We're proud of the success that has come from Go for Launch! and we look forward to the continued success of the program. Over the course of two days, students in grades 8-12 will participate in activities at Abell JH Library that are designed to help them develop critical skills needed for success in the workforce. Through these space-inspired activities, students have the opportunity to work in a group setting and learn from aerospace professionals, who will serve as mentors throughout the event."
Reilly is the seventh astronaut that Higher Orbits has brought to the area through a series of space-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) events, according to the news release. Students who attend will work with space leaders on teamwork, communication, research design, and leadership skills as they learn spaceflight techniques. The objective is that skills students develop will be able to be incorporated into any profession they enter.
"We're excited to bring Go For Launch! back to Midland," said Michelle Lucas, founder and chief executive of Higher Orbits. "We run this program all across the country, offering kids the opportunity to connect with astronauts and other professionals that they normally wouldn't have access to. We're trying to show them that being a student who loves space and science is not only cool; it opens doors."