Lucille Lambert learned how to walk, talk and even sleep like an astronaut this summer at Space Camp. The Tejeda Middle School sixth-grader has always been drawn to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. While she’s naturally curious and bright, she thinks her love of space stems from her family.
“I have always been interested in math and science, especially since my dad worked at NASA as an engineer for the Orion spacecraft,” said Lambert. “Space Camp was so fun and hands-on, and they make everything seem like you’re a real-life astronaut, even the sleeping quarters!”
Lambert spent one week at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. She was part of a team that flew a simulated space mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the Moon or Mars. The crew participated in experiments and successfully completed an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk.
These astronaut training techniques engage trainees in real-world applications of STEM subjects. Students also slept in quarters designed to resemble the ISS and train in simulators like those used by NASA. While Lambert has a natural inclination for all things science and space, her teachers at Tuscany Heights Elementary School encouraged that passion.
“All my teachers were really great and inspiring, but the ones who inspired me most were Ms. Nimerick and Mrs. Lunsford because they both taught science and math and they were really fun and very supportive of me. Mrs. Nimerick pushed me when HAM (Hyper-Accelerated Math) got hard, and I learned better study skills from her.”
Space Camp teams earned points during the week for their activities as well as their professionalism and teamwork. Lucille’s team came out on top, winning the coveted Commander’s Cup.
Way to go, Lucille!
