Charter School of Wilmington students win big in NASA competition: Education roundup

Charter school students are commanding today's roundup, from NASA-celebrated experiments to special community festivals.

Charter School of Wilmington, for one, needs to start preparing students' technology to travel on high-altitude balloon flight this summer — while Odyssey will mark a start to Black History Month, Greek Language Day and coveted education innovation awards, in style.

Another public charter, Academy of Dover is set to save millions on rent. In higher education, Wilmington University is breaking new ground, building a law school and convocation center.

In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on some education updates that you may have missed.

[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.]

Students at Charter School of Wilmington win big in nationwide competition from NASA

Students at the Charter School of Wilmington have their sights set high. Sky high.

The Delaware team was just selected as one of just 60 winners in a nationwide NASA STEM competition, a second-time win for the charter. The TechRise Student Challenge, now in its third year, challenges sixth grade through high school seniors to "design and test their own innovative solutions for space exploration and the study of Earth," according to a school press release.

Students designed experiments — this year meant to be tested on a NASA-sponsored high-altitude balloon flight or rocket-powered lander — and now winners can work through the rest of the school year to build out the creations. They also get $1,500 and the support of professional engineers, in preparation for a true flight test this summer.

Wilmington's students crafted a written proposal called (checks notes) "Understanding Outgassing Dynamics of Kapton Polymer in Stratospheric Conditions: Implications for Spaceborne Applications."

Basically, testing impact to that material coming in higher altitudes and more extreme conditions. Experiments like theirs, tested on the high-altitude balloon, will experience about four hours of flight time at about 70,000 feet with exposure to Earth’s upper atmosphere and high-altitude radiation, per NASA.

“Cultivating creativity and curiosity and inspiring students to pursue STEM careers is one of NASA’s most important missions,” said Prasun Desai, deputy associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, in a press release.

Students' progress will be updated online.

More: State could bar schools from using lunch debt to deny student activities: Education roundup

Odyssey's 'Oli Mazi' Festival set to celebrate school wins, community coming together

Next Monday, Odyssey Charter is set to celebrate Black History Month, International Greek Language Day and recent school success with a special festival.

The “Oli Mazi” Festival, or Together We Stand Festival, will pack live student performances, food and activities from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 5, at the Wilmington school. The same school is also marking a $500,000 education innovation award, earning the distinction "for our sustainability, transformational program, outstanding outcomes and permission-less education."

Wilmington University breaks ground on convocation center and a school of law

WilmU is on track to have a new convocation center and law school on its Brandywine site by 2025.

The center will span 85,000 square feet, the university shared after its Jan. 25 groundbreaking, fit with a 2,000-seat auditorium and spacious stage destined to host graduation ceremonies and other events. The center will also house the university’s Criminal Justice Institute.

The three-story, 52,000-square-foot law building will pair a large atrium with expansive windows and various flexible learning spaces throughout. This building comes in at $23 million, while the convocation center will cost $48 million.

“These new buildings represent an exciting and pivotal moment in Wilmington University’s history,” said Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne Harmon in a statement. “They also signify progress, growth and our sustained efforts to provide opportunity as well as enhanced learning environments and exceptional facilities our students deserve.”

Big picture: The 5 takeaways from Delaware Gov. John Carney's 2025 budget address

Academy of Dover will save $2 million in rent in the next five years

Academy of Dover Charter School closed on a $4.24 million tax-exempt bond issuance last week — helping the school purchase land and two buildings on the its own 4.8 acre campus on Saulsbury Road.

This will save the public charter school nearly $2 million in the first five years, the school said in a press release, compared to renting its facilities as it has for the past 20 years.

“The cost savings we realize will allow us to devote more resources to promoting our educational mission and better serving our students,” said Michele Marinucci, head of school, in a statement. “Our commitment is for each student to embrace the love, joy, and value of education. This investment in our school and students will help us fulfill our commitment.”

Housing: Delaware home sales sank in December as prices rose. National expert predicts better 2024

Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Don't call it rocket science: Wilmington students win in NASA contest