Out-of-this-world experiences abound at the OCDSB. Students at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School and Rockcliffe Park Public School participated in space-related learning opportunities, which expanded their horizons far beyond the classroom.
Grade 9 students at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School won the national Lunar Rover Research Challenge space competition hosted by Let’s Talk Science. Together with three other Canadian schools, they earned the opportunity to remotely control a lunar rover prototype.
The students connected to the simulation lab in Stratford, Ontario, where they became pilots, scientists, and navigation specialists. Working as a team, they carefully guided the rover across a moon-like terrain in search of ice. Despite some bumps – or craters – along the way, the students drove the rover through the challenging simulation and succeeded in finding the ice deposits.
The experience allowed students to get first-hand experience using space-exploration technology, designed by Canadensys, that will head to space in a future lunar mission.
The students spoke with CBC Ottawa Morning and CTV News to share their experience.
Meanwhile, grade 5 and 6 students from Rockcliffe Park Public School got a little star-struck when they had the opportunity to meet Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen and Jenni Gibbons. The astronauts spoke about their upcoming journey to the moon, the challenges they’ve overcome along the way, and what it takes to launch a career in space exploration.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will fly to the moon on the Artemis II mission. He will become the first Canadian to ever venture to the moon. Jenni Gibbons will be the backup crewmember for Hansen on Artemis II.
This inspiring learning opportunity was part of a National Conference hosted by Actua Canada, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach organization.
Learn more and hear from the students in this CTV News feature!
