Space technology education program coming to Adrian Jan. 13-14
ADRIAN — The endless and vast possibilities of space will be coming to Adrian in mid-January in the form of an educational program for teens that is designed to enhance a student’s knowledge and skills in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math education.
Go for Launch! Lenawee will be Jan. 13 and 14 at the Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center in Adrian, 1372 N. Main St. The program, open to students in eighth through 12th grades throughout Lenawee County and the surrounding region, is coming to Adrian in 2023 through the efforts of Higher Orbits, a nonprofit organization that creates experiential learning labs for secondary students across the United States with a focus on space exploration. The program is also supported by the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA), state Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Onsted, and Avon Machining.
Go for Launch! is the flagship program of Higher Orbits and it highlights spaceflight and space exploration to provide students across the country the opportunity to develop and strengthen their skills in STEM, teamwork, communication, research design and leadership. Additional Go For Launch! programs have been held in Alpena and Sault Ste. Marie as part of the Higher Orbits MAMA series across Michigan, according to a news release from Higher Orbits.
“Talent development and retention are critical to Michigan’s space industry future and that is why we are happy to support Higher Orbits STEM outreach program. Engaging Michigan youth in an interactive, dynamic learning setting to spark their interest to being part of America’s space program, is essential to our state’s success being a space state,” Gavin Brown, executive director of the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association, said in the release.
Brown appeared in Adrian this fall where he pitched the idea of having Go for Launch! come to Adrian — potentially partnering with PlaneWave Instruments. Brown spoke to a crowd of Zorn supporters on the PlaneWave campus, which is across the street from the LISD Tech Center campus, during a rally for Zorn's state representative election campaign.
Part of the program is a contest between teams of students to have a biology experiment selected to be launched into space where an astronaut will conduct the experiment.
“It’s a two-day program designed for kids to use STEM education and to actually do a team-building exercise to demonstrate their understanding of launching a space vehicle into low-Earth orbit,” Brown previously said in an interview with The Daily Telegram. “… It is to engage our youth and their passion for being part of the space program in a program where they can actually feel like they are doing something that is happening today with the launches that they see on TV.”
There won’t be a limit on the number of students who can attend, and donations will be sought from area businesses to pay for the program, Brown said during his October presentation to Zorn’s supporters. Interested students can register online at higherorbits.org/go-for-launch/. Financial aid is available to students who need assistance to attend the event.
“Go for Launch! offers children in Lenawee County and the entire region a fun and unforgettable opportunity to explore the possibilities of space while also using their imagination and working as a team,” Zorn said in the release from Higher Orbits. “Space can be the next frontier for our state and our kids. This event can help encourage future generations to consider careers in space-related industries and build our high-tech talent for new aerospace opportunities in our state.”
During his presentation to Zorn’s supporters, Brown said 90% of graduates from aerospace engineering programs in Michigan leave the state to find jobs. He said research and development work can be done in Michigan.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Space technology education program coming to Adrian Jan. 13-14
