Space experience awaits students at US camp

Dubai: Students of Dubai's Modern High School will swap the deserts for deep space and learn what it takes to be an astronaut in the coming week.

About 60 students from grade 7 to 12 will step out of their classrooms and test their hands in the science of rocket launching, experience zero gravity, and future of robotics at the week-long space camp at the Nasa centre in Huntsville, Alabama.

The camp is part of the US Space & Rocket Center, the nation's leading space science museum empowered by Congress and supported technically by Nasa. The students accompanied by six teachers will leave for Washington on Sunday and return on November 5.

"I am so happy to be part of this camp. This is definitely once-in-a-life-time opportunity for us and I am so excited to actually experience what we have learned only in books," Rohith Rajan, a grade 11 student.

Anushka Gehani, a grade 7 student, said the highlight of the Nasa camp is the opportunity to experience zero gravity. "I cannot wait to know what it is like to float in the space," said Anushka, who wants to pursue her studies in space science. "I want to work for Nasa. This is also an opportunity for me to understand more about their projects."

Simulators

The students will have opportunities to take part in the making and launching of rockets and experience the actual launch and touch down effect through space simulators. They will also interact with astronauts who are on space missions and get to communicate with them from the space camp.

"It will be a great learning experience for the students to have a hands-on understanding of various concepts they have learned in their science classes. When they come back, it will be easy for them to understand and apply these concepts," said Rajesh, a teacher accompanying the students.

The school said it is planning to make the space camp an annual feature, and a second batch of junior students are slated to attend the camp in March, next year.

Before entering the world of space, the trip will also offer students some great sight-seeing opportunities in Washington DC, where they will visit the White House, The Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial, followed by an educational trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Children will get to see hundreds of species of marine life, including giant octopuses, electric eels, rays, sharks, and reef dwellers at the Baltimore National Aquarium, watch the dolphins in action at the Dolphin Amphitheater and also visit the ESPN-run indoor entertainment hub where they can choose from over 100 sports-themed games and attractions spread over 10,000 square feet.