"When I found out that I got the scholarship to go to Space Camp, I was floored," Ballew said. "I still can't believe that I'm going.
Ballew left for Space Camp, which is located in Alabama, yesterday, Monday, June 18.
"I am giddy with excitement," Ballew said before leaving. "This is a dream come true. I feel like a kid again."
"I've heard that we're going to go through astronaut-like training and simulations," she said. "Someone told me that we'll be going in a machine called the 'vomit comet.' I'm a little nervous, but I've always loved amusement rides, so I'm mostly excited."
According to Honeywell, Ballew will participate in astronaut training exercises including high-performance jet simulations, scenario-based missions, land and water survival training and a state-of-the-art flight dynamics program.
Beyond these space-filled adventures, Ballew will learn about astronomy, space exploration and NASA.
Ballew says that while she plans on having a blast, the most important part of her journey is what she'll bring back to her 8th-grade science classroom.
"We're having 40 hours of classroom training and laboratory training," Ballew said. "My goal is to learn a lot and bring that knowledge back to my students."
"When you're a kid, you naturally have no fear," Ballew said. "I'm a little nervous, but youthful at heart, and I figure, what the heck, I've got to try everything."
Ballew has been teaching at Bountiful Jr. High for five years, but has over 20 years of teaching experience. She will return from Space Camp on June 25.
Ballew is joining 265 science and math teachers from over 43 states and over 20 countries. Over 1,000 teachers applied for the Honeywell-sponsored scholarship. The application process involved a 500-word essay, in which teachers were required to discuss the techniques they use to motivate students towards science-related learning.
sryther@davisclipper.com
Post a Comment
