The 8th Grade Team Prepares for Take-off (and Re-entry)

BMS 8th graders went to the Buehler Challenger and Science Center in Paramus, NJ to participate in a space shuttle launch simulation. Working in teams, students took turns in various roles in both mission control and on the space shuttle. During the post-mission debrief, students were asked with create protective landing gear for the Mars rover using with limited time and materials. The day culminated in an "egg drop" contest to test the effectiveness of their landing gear.
Principal Susan Howard explained, “Teachers prepared for this trip in a variety of ways. As a group they attended in-person training at the Science Center earlier this year. Back in the classroom, they taught students a series of lessons to help them understand the roles they would take before, during, and after the mission. Students were assigned some independent study to gain background knowledge about Challenger and space program. Overall it is a great experience and was a fabulous trip!”
Since the program could only accommodate a certain number of students per “mission,” half the grade stayed at BHS and participated in science and math, and watched the movie, Hidden Figures. Next week there will be a second trip and Hidden Figures showing so the whole grade will have get to enjoy both.
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