Press Release

Tuesday December 16th, 2003 our grade 6 class is blasting off into space. This 24 hour simulated space mission has been designed to have students experience what it is like to be an astronaut or work in Mission Control.

Since mid-October, our class has been working on a Space unit to prepare for this incredible event. Students needed to go through an application process to become part of the Space School and have since been learning about the solar system, history of space exploration, conducting space-related experiments and following a strict astronaut physical training program.

Seven student astronauts and fourteen student mission control personnel, with the help of a few adults, will work toward simulating a real space shuttle mission. During this real time 24 hour mission, the crew of Golden Horn’s space shuttle “Exodus” will communicate via computer with mission control, parents, students from other schools and other community members.

Astronauts will keep journals and post their thoughts on our website, exercise, follow procedures for take-off and landing and conduct experiments in the areas of Science and Medicine such as the properties of a crater, the effects of microgravity on maze completion and eye-hand response time, etc. All of this will be recorded “live” on our website (http://dl1.yukoncollege.yk.ca/ghesstillet/). The astronauts will be supported by our Mission Control personnel who will be maintaining our Internet site and performing crucial duties in areas such as Communication, Navigation, Public Affairs, Science and Medicine.

We would like to invite you to our launch and subsequent activities during our simulation. The launch is scheduled for 9:15 am but we will be holding a press conference at 8:50 am, December 16th, 2003 at our school. The simulation will end December 17th, 2003 at 9:15 am. Department of Education officials, The Premier, the Education Minister, our Member of Parliament, Mayor and Council Members have been invited.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sara Tillett (Grade 6 Teacher)
Nancy Browne (School Principal)
Golden Horn School (Box 10500, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 7A1)
Phone: 867-667-8130
Fax: 867-393-6389