College of Science
Student projects headed to International Space Station
The launch took place Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 1:12 p.m.
Several regional students will have exomedicine experiments launched to the International Space Station (ISS) next week.
Emma Grooms from Manchester, Ohio; Raychel Kool, from California, Kentucky; and Emma Stone from Maysville, Kentucky developed an experiment to determine the effects of microgravity on bacterial production of recombinant proteins. This experiment was developed during Blast Off summer camp which was sponsored by Morehead State’s Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.
The experiments will be launched to the ISS aboard the SpaceX CRS 16 Rocket on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at approximately 1:30 p.m. from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Additionally, Craft Academy seniors Kaitlyn Palumbo of Nicholasville and Kimberly Bosh of Paducah is currently working on an exomedicine experiment with Magnitude.io that will also be launched to the ISS.
Dr. Carol Christian, director of the Craft Academy, said the experiments being sent to the ISS represent a big opportunity for the students involved. “This is a huge experience that allows students to truly imagine, invent and impact Kentucky and the people of the world. It's great that such young people can find real solutions to problems here on earth from space,” Christian added.
Jen Carter, assistant director of academic services at the Craft Academy, said being involved with the experiments gives the students a unique learning experience.
“It's important for students to have opportunities to explore research options that are not routinely available in the classroom. These experiments represent a creative and entrepreneurial way to solve problems that have yet been solved,” Carter said.
The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics is a dual-credit residential high school for academically exceptional Kentucky students. The Craft Academy's purpose is to meet the unique educational needs of academically gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors in the Commonwealth. The academic rigor of the Craft Academy challenges students to excel at their highest level through project-based STEM+X courses and hands-on learning experiences, with emphasis on innovation, design and creativity, and civic and regional engagement.
To learn more about the launch and watch live coverage of the spacecraft's arrival at the ISS on Saturday, Dec. 8, visit www.spacex.com/webcast.
For more information about the Craft Academy, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy or call 606-783-2093.
