Wright State to host space exploration program for high school students

Astronaut Mark Brown

Wright State University will host Go For Launch!, a program that introduces high school student to space exploration to foster engagement in science, technology, engineering and math.

Go For Launch! will run June 22-24 at Wright State and is open to high school students.

Registration is $250 and includes all supplies and meals. To register, or for more information, visit GoForLaunch.space.

Students will learn about human spaceflight and get insight and feedback through a variety of talks delivered by experienced space and STEM professionals. Scheduled speakers include retired astronaut Mark Brown, former International Space Station flight controller and astronaut instructor Michelle Lucas, Space Tango President Twyman Clements and aerospace engineer Jose Camberos.

The goal is to illustrate the numerous opportunities that exist in STEM-related careers. “It’s always a thrill to share my experience with the next generation of space explorers and show them just how much fun it can be,” Brown said.

The students will participate in collaborative activities and develop the idea for a space experiment, which they will present to a panel of judges in the space and STEM fields. Winners will compete for a divisional title, and those winners will have their experiments launched into space.

“As someone who grew up in love with space travel but without many options to have interactions where I could learn more, I’m excited to be able to bring the Go For Launch! program right to students in their hometown areas. Space inspires and I can’t wait to share that message with the students in the Dayton area,” said Michelle Lucas, founder of Higher Orbits, which is organizing the program.

Go For Launch! Dayton is supported by local sponsors Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, Wright State’s Office of Latino Affairs, Air Force Research Laboratory, Regional STEM Collaborative and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Dayton-Cincinnati Section.

Higher Orbits is a nonprofit with the mission of promoting science, technology, engineering and math, along with leadership, teamwork and communication through the use of spaceflight. Higher Orbits is supported by Intergalactic Sponsors: Space Tango, Kentucky Space and eddi.