DHS students going to space camp

Three Daleville High School students will get a taste of astronaut training this summer thanks to support from state legislators.

Austin Horne, Alex Peters and Leah Steward will be attending Space Academy for Leading Students in Alabama (SALSA) on May 26-31. According to the program’s website, SALSA provides for students between 12-14 years old to attend camp at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

“Since 1982, Space Camp has inspired more than 750,000 young men and women from around the world to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while exposing them to the leadership and teamwork skills that helped them succeed in their careers,” the program’s website states.

Both Horne and Peters say the opportunity to attend space camp is an honor.

“It's an honor to be chosen, and I'm glad I get to go with my friends,” Horne said.

“It is a great honor, and to be participating with my best friend makes it 10 times better,” Peters said.

For Steward, this experience could be the start of a journey to one day work for NASA.

“It means a lot to me because I love space and plan to work for NASA,” she said. “This program will help me work towards it.”

During space camp, students will not only train like an astronaut, but also gain further exposure to STEM concepts and more.

“I know I will learn about what it's like in space,” Horne said.

Peters echoed his words, saying the three students will also be “learning how astronauts survive in space (and) doing some training like the astronauts have to do.”

“I think we'll be learning about the processes and steps it takes to work in the space industry,” Steward said.

None of the three students have been to space camp before, but they all enjoy STEM topics and believe this experience will help them enjoy them even more.

“Space has always been something I love to study,” Peters said, stating she also enjoys algebra and other STEM topics.

“I enjoy math and science a lot,” Steward said. “The subjects are easier for me to understand. I also like engineering, but it’s hard to understand.

“I do think space camp will help me become even more interested in (STEM) topics because it will help me work for NASA.”

Principal Josh Robertson said he is proud of these three students who will be representing DHS this summer.

“We are so excited to have three students receive this scholarship after a very competitive application process,” he said. “We cannot wait to hear about what they will learn while they are there.”