U.P. students reach for the stars with Go For Launch!

The world of space lands briefly this week at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, where aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore careers in the cosmos and STEM fields. 


Astronaut Tony AntonelliDubbed Go For Launch!, the three-day program is open to students in grades 8-12 (including rising eight-graders and recently graduated seniors. It's a chance for space-minded participants to engage in immersive, project-based activities that bring space to life, including the design of a space experiment. They also will learn from experts like Astronaut Tony Antonelli, and Michelle Lucas, who is head of Higher Orbits.

The multiday program is sponsored by Higher Orbits, a non-profit with the mission to inspire and engage high-school students through the use of spaceflight, in hands-on, project-based learning experiences that are designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Go For Launch! uses Space Exploration as a platform to launch student involvement in those subjects and teamwork, communication and leadership. 

Thousands of students in 20 states have participated in the program, which marks its second year at Lake Superior State University, which launched a one-year Space Missions and Operations Certification program last year. Through lectures and labs, students learn about space systems and satellite technology components. 

Michelle Lucas of Higher Orbits answered questions about the space program and space careers for UPword Michigan.

How long has Go For Launch! been offered at Lake Superior State University, and what role have Sault Area Public Schools played in its success?

This will be our second Go For Launch! in Sault Ste Marie (with the first held in 2022) and it’s made possible thanks to the local community, especially the efforts of Kevin St. Onge (STEM Region director for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District) and Chris Olson (president of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation). We are grateful to LSSU for their support in hosting and sponsoring. You can see all of the sponsors on the website.

How many camps does Higher Orbits offer across the U.S. each year? 

Our target is to run 15 to 20 events a year across the country. When this event in Sault Ste. Marie happens, it will be our 79^th program. We have been in 20 states.

How unique is this camp compared to other space camps for youth? To your knowledge, are any others being taught by real-life astronauts?

Michelle LucasWhile astronauts are a part of many events by giving a talk or sessions, to my knowledge this is the only camp in the U.S. for high school students where an astronaut is part of the event for the students for the entire camp, which lasts multiple days. (All of our Go For Launch! events have an astronaut as part of the entire event.) The fact that the students are actively competing to have their science experiment launched to space is definitely unique.

How many teams did “Team Space Shell 6” beat out to win the last competition? 

They beat out all the teams at the local event in Sault Ste. Marie (probably about 10) and then also beat out the teams from the other two events in Michigan that were part of the series they were part of. They were part of the MAMA Series (Michigan. Aerospace Manufacturers Association.)

How are winning participants able to observe or follow their experiments being conducted in space? 

The winning team of the overall series of events who has their experiment flown to space will work with our team and our partners at Space Tango to have their experiment built. While the students don’t actually build the experiment, they will work remotely with the Space Tango team who does. The winning team is always invited to watch the launch of their experiment and once their experiment is in space, data will be downlinked daily which they can access from their computer at home or school.
 
Could you describe the daily curriculum at Go For Launch! in a little more detail? What are the tasks or projects like?
 
Throughout each day there are a variety of team challenges along with speakers (including from Astronaut Tony Antonelli several times) to share about space and STEM. Students get to work in teams for challenges ranging from art inspired to STEM inspired, as well as communication and teamwork elements. Mentors from the space and STEM industries are there for conversations and support throughout. We work to touch on a wide variety of areas/topics in Space/STEM. Every team will design and experiment a concept that could fly to space.
 
What happens after an experimental design wins at the LSSU camp? How does competition proceed from there?
 

Courtesy of Michelle LucasThis event is part of the 2024 Series of Go For Launch! events. We will pick a winner from this event who will go on to compete in the finals (this happens virtually) against a handful of other finalists from across the United States. Depending on when the (last) event of the series takes place (could be as late as November), the finals will happen, and a winner will be chosen from that.
 
What do participants most seem to enjoy about the camp? 

Students have a great time working with the astronaut because they get to know this person and actually chat with them as opposed to them being unreachable on a big stage. They also love the team challenges resulting in space swag. And for many, this is a way for them to find other students who are similar to them. We have tons of students who make friends at these events (and) become longtime friends.
And let’s be honest – space is cool and fun. What’s not to enjoy about that?
 
What might you tell students who think being an astronaut is an unobtainable career? 
 
Not every kid wants to be an astronaut, and that’s okay. Many want to be part of the space industry but don’t know the path to do that … we want to help. We also want to show students that there is a place in space for all of them if they are interested. For those who are interested in becoming an astronaut our advice to them is to do well in school and study something they are passionate about.
 
Originally from Kalamazoo, freelance writer Michelle Miron now lives in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where her side hustle is selling vintage clothing.