The Holy Child Class of 2028 at the Challenger Center

Sixth graders at School of the Holy Child recently returned from a “voyage” to Mars. They didn’t travel 225 million miles to the rocky planet, but they did make it to the Challenger Center in Ramapo, N.Y., where they learned all the right stuff. 

Students used real NASA equipment to simulate Mission Control and a spacecraft to Mars. Each student performed a designated role, from navigation and data officers to probe, medical, and isolation team members.

Completing the mission required teamwork, communication, and perseverance through unexpected and challenging circumstances. At one point, the Life Support team had to face a crisis in decreasing oxygen levels and return the spacecraft to safe levels. The facilitators were very impressed that the probe team managed to send probes to not one, but two of Mars’ moons!

The trip ended with student Ella Caprio demonstrating the Barany Chair, which is used to train pilots and astronauts to trust their instruments over their spatial awareness. Back in the classroom, students created Pixton comic strips to reflect their experiences and share a memorable learning moment from the mission.