Four Oxford Middle School students recently spent some time learning what it’s like to work in the clouds and among the stars.

Seventh-graders Cody and Sierra Musial, Madilyn Krozek and Grant Arundale attended Space Academy and Aviation Challenge Mach II at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Both are week-long educational programs designed to promote the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) while teaching students teamwork, leadership and problem-solving through training, hands-on activities and missions.

Space Academy is the part of the Space Camp program for youths ages 12-14. It utilizes astronaut training techniques to engage kids in the real-world application of STEM subjects. Students get to feel what it’s like to be an astronaut as they sleep in quarters resembling those aboard the International Space Station and train with simulators similar to those used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The OMS students experienced and learned so many different things while attending Space Academy.

“We trained on the one-sixth gravity chair and the multi-axis trainer, which is what astronauts use to prepare for space flight and zero gravity,” said Cody Musial. “We were given positions on our team and together, we did a simulated launch and landing on the Moon.”

“We learned a lot about growing food in space,” said Sierra Musial. “The astronauts who will travel to Mars will need to be able to purify their own water and grow their own food. All liquids on board will need to be recycled for reuse.”

Krozek’s favorite part was simulating NASA mission control.

“For our mission, I had the role of EECom (electrical, environmental and communications), which is responsible for making sure the battery is OK, checking cabin pressure, oxygen levels, etc.,” she said. “The mission really shows you the importance of each person’s role on the team to be successful.”

“I learned how complicated and important it is to be a part of NASA mission control,” Krozek noted. “It takes a large team, good communication and discipline to support the astronauts in space 24-7, 365 days a year.”

Arundale indicated he participated in two space mission simulators.

“The first mission was a space shuttle docking with the space station . . . My job in the first mission was the pilot,” he said. “The second mission was a mission to the Moon. On the second mission, my job was FDO (Flight Dynamics Officer). FDO is in charge of the thrusters. Both missions were successful.”

Aviation Challenge Mach II is geared toward students with an interest in military aviation and the mechanics of flight. After learning the principles of aviation, kids put their knowledge to the test with a variety of flight simulators. The program uses fighter pilot training techniques to engage students in real-word applications of STEM subjects.

Krozek and the Musial siblings participated in Aviation Challenge Mach II in addition to Space Academy.

“Aviation Challenge was definitely my favorite,” Krozek said. “I actually loved the military-style experience, challenges and teamwork.”

“My favorite part was the flight simulators,” said Cody Musial. “I am logging hours to be a (real) pilot and to me, this is fun.”

“We also got to feel the effects of 3Gs on our bodies in the centrifuge,” he added.

Sierra Musial’s favorite part of Aviation Challenge was a teamwork exercise in the form of a night mission. “We put charcoal on our face(s) to make us less visible (at) night and (had) to maneuver as a team through the woods without being detected,” she said.

Arundale, Krozek and the Musial siblings were all there on July 16 when the U.S. Space and Rocket Center attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for the most model rockets launched simultaneously. The attempt was meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 launch in 1969, which resulted in the first human beings landing and walking on the Moon.

A total of 5,000 model rockets were readied and of those, 4,923 (or 98 percent) launched. Until Guinness confirms a new record was set, the current record stands at 4,231 rockets launched in 2018 at Teylingen College in the Netherlands.

“I think it is cool that I was able to witness a world record being made,” Arundale said.

The OMS students saw these programs as valuable experiences that will ultimately help guide them as they pursue careers some day.

“I plan on going into aeronautical engineering and also obtaining my pilot’s license for personal use,” said Cody Musial. “I would like to be part of the team that works on sending astronauts to Mars, but I do not want to go to Mars.”

“I would like to design the future rockets and equipment as an engineer for NASA, Space X or one of their supplies,” Arundale said. “I think they are leading the way into the new frontier.”

“I am not sure yet what I want to do for my career,” Krozek said. “I love science, geography, travel and leading teams. Participating in these programs has allowed me to explore many options for a potential future career. Also, both camps provide the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, discipline, teamwork and communication skills, which are required for any career path I choose to take.”

“I do not know what I want to be when I grow up, but it is interesting to see and experience some of the options,” said Sierra Musial.

The kids wholeheartedly recommended other young people give Space Camp and Aviation Challenge a try. “It is a great opportunity to learn so much about propulsion, aerodynamics, history and spend time at the rocket center,” Cody Musial said.

“I would tell my friends to go,” said Sierra Musial. “It is an amazing experience and unlike any other camp. You are learning yet having a blast at the same time.”

“It is a great experience and opportunity to (feel) what it is like to be an astronaut or fighter pilot,” Krozek said. “You (also) get a chance to meet people from all over the country and world.”

“For a camp, they have good food, which is important being away from home,” Arundale noted.