Descriptions of Space Voyage Academy Topics

A. Manned Space Flight - Students will utilize computers, models and other technologies to simulate and study shuttle flight, flight control, and flight dynamics. Students will fly "space shuttle missions as pilots and scientists" and perform challenging activities involving space station construction and satellite deployment.

B. Space Station Construction - Students will design and build a space station using a computer guided program as well as on paper, and making models . Students will explore economic, political, structural, and design problems which impact space station construction.

C. Microgravity Studies - Students will explore the challenges and humor involved in eating and sleeping in space. Students may conduct an in-depth study comparing food preparation, preferences and quality of shuttle food and food eaten at home.

D. Space Art and Graphics - Students will explore and study "poster art" and graphics used to promote the American space effort. Students will study the complete NASA mission patch collection (100+ patches) and will design their own mission logo.

E. Robotics - Students will explore the use of robots in space and on earth and complete an assortment of hand-eye coordination activities with their own robots.

F. Space History, Economics, and Politics - Students will explore the history of space flight, present and future economic trends and space politics.

G. Space Novels and Radio Dramas - Students will be invited to read, listen to and critique space novels, radio dramas, and space skits produced by Space Voyage Academy students.

H. Wall Art - Work with a team in creating an authentic wall poster of the space art of your choice... Create a 2D poster or a 3D orbiter or satellite.

I. POD Operations - Join a friend in "driving" an Orbital Construction Pod. Experience the thrill and challenge of communication with pod control. You can even earn a Pod License, but watch out for those Space Cows!

J. Space Accidents - Learn about the Challenger and Columbia Space Shuttle tragedies. What happened, why it happened and how we can prevent it in the future.

K. SpaceShip One - Learn about the first commercial spacecraft to reach outer space, the X prize and the ongoing efforts of Burt Rutan and his team.

L. Space Station Simulators - Check out the newest space station simulators.

M. Rocketry - Join us as we explore air based, water based and rubber band based rockets.
     Earn your Rocketeer Award for teamwork, data collection and accuracy.

And A Lot More!! Participate in hands-on experiments and investigations involving material science, gravity, centrifugal force, teamwork, communications and problem solving and thinking like an astronaut.