Launching dreams: Higher Orbits event provides unique opportunity for students

This July, students have the unique opportunity to learn from an astronaut and design an experiment that could be launched into space.

Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) has partnered with LSSU, MiSTEAM EUPISD, and local businesses to once again support The Higher Orbits, Go For Launch! event, which brings space to life with guidance from experts in the fields.

At the event, students will learn about human spaceflight directly from an astronaut, astronaut instructor, international space station flight controllers, and more. Not only do they have access to these mentors, but they will also have the opportunity to work together to create their own space experiment that could fly to the International Space Station. In 2022, a local group of Sault Saint Marie students went on to win and had their experiment launched into space.

The presenting team includes astronaut Dominic “Tony” Antonelli, who has done two space flights and spent a total of 24 days in space, and Michelle Lucas, who has spent over ten years working at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre and whose passion for inspiring students in STEM led her to found Higher Orbits, a nonprofit organization that creates an experiential learning lab for secondary school students across the United States.

The CCEDC hopes students in grades 8-12 will register for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which will take place July 23-25 ​​at Lake Superior University. Registration is $20, and students will be provided with meals. Transportation arrangements can be made if necessary.

To register for the event, visit the Higher Orbits website here.