While her peers spent their summer swimming, bicycling and relaxing, Houlton youth Brooke Chase was busy exploring outer space and piloting a simulated space shuttle.
Chase, the 12-year-old daughter of Tiffiny and David Chase of Houlton, recently attended Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The facility is part of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
She was selected to receive a full tuition scholarship in the amount of $999 to attend the program in Huntsville, Alabama. The week-long educational program for those between the ages of 12-14, promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while training students with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and problem solving.
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- Brook Chase, far right, of Houlton goes through a training exercise during her time at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The facility is part of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. (Courtesy/Tiffany Chase)
“To be eligible I had to be in a gifted and talented program, write two essays centering on my accomplishments, interests and future,” Chase said. “I also had to design a mission patch that reflects who I am, describe in scientific process a science experiment with pictures helping to detail my process and three letters of recommendation from my teachers.”
Chase was part of the Space Academy program, which is designed for trainees who have an interest in space exploration. She spent the week training with a team that flew a simulated space mission to Mars. The crew participated in experiments and successfully completed an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk, and returned to Earth in time to graduate with honors.
“Needless to say I was stunned that I had been chosen,” Chase said. “The overall week at camp was so amazing.”
Space Camp operates year-round in Huntsville, Alabama, and uses astronaut training techniques to engage trainees in real-world applications of STEM subjects. Trainees sleep in quarters designed to resemble the International Space Station and train in NASA-inspired simulators.
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- Brooke Chase, 12, of Houlton goes over flight logs as part of her week-long camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The facility is part of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. (Courtesy/Tiffany Chase)
More than 750,000 trainees have graduated from Space Camp since its inception in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1982, including STS-131 astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger; European Space Agency astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti; and NASA Expedition 48 astronaut Dr. Kate Rubins. Last year, children and teachers from all 50 states and 69 international locations attended Space Camp.
“My favorite part of the academy was the simulated missions to the ISS (International Space Station),” Chase said. “On my team (Honeywell), I was the space scientist for my first mission and director of Mission Control for the second mission. I really enjoyed being in mission control because I hadn’t been aware of how important their role is. Everyone focuses on the astronauts but it is mission control that makes sure nothing happens to those astronauts. Also you get to do the the famous countdown to liftoff.”
While Chase did not have an opportunity to meet Jessica Meir, an astronaut from Caribou who has been an inspiration, she did get to meet NASA astronaut Robert Gibson who has flown five space missions. Gibson awarded Chase’s team with the “Commander’s Award” for engineering.
“One thing I learned about was that I am part of the ‘Mars Generation’ and hope I am able to contribute one day to a successful mission there,” Chase added. “The landing on the moon really gave Americans a sense of pride and I hope that can be repeated.”
For more information on the camp, visit www.spacecamp.com.
