• PHOTO: The VR simulators proved to be a highlight on Tuesdays activities
This week Coonamble has been given a rare opportunity to explore the world of aerospace, with the “Aerospace Academy” taking place at the Coonamble Bowling Club from Sunday 4 June through to Thursday 8 June.
Kicking off with a chat on Sunday with former NASA Astronaut Greg Johnson the twenty-four students from the Coonamble, Pilliga, Quambone, Baradine, Trangie and Gulgong areas all got a chance to hear what it’s like to be an astronaut.
The free program is available for children aged ten to fourteen and has been funded by the Office for Regional Youth, part of the Department of Regional NSW.
Aerospace Academy educator, Jenna McCarthy, says the experience is an opportunity for rural students to see aerospace as a viable vocation for them.
“It’s about empowering young people, and getting them engaged in STEM,” said Jenna.
“There are so many opportunities and jobs in the aerospace field that can be done remotely, and we want to show them that.”
On Monday the academy students learnt about how to move around in zero gravity via virtual reality simulators and also worked on spacecraft building using specialised software on computers.
“There’s one person who operates a satellite literally from his laundry,” said Jenna.
“He loads up any coordinates or adjustments that need to be made and sends them off all from home.”
“It’s about that too, so as well as the fun activities that we’re doing during the camp we’re letting the children and their families know about these things.”
The students will work in teams and rotate through a series of hands-on activities, all giving them a taste of a potential future in the aerospace world.
Later this week students will also go through a CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) drone exam along with launching their rockets on Wednesday.
Flying drones and using drones is a skill that may come in handy later on in life for students, especially in agricultural applications.
According to the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture, “By 2028, the Asia Pacific market for agricultural drone systems is projected to grow by more than 300 per cent to $2.9 billion AUD, up from $647 million in 2020.”
But the highlight for many may just be the rocket launch which also signals their “graduation” from the academy in Coonamble in 2023.
“It shoots up 120 metres into the air,” said Jenna.
“And it works just like the real thing, it has a proper engine and it breaks apart mid-flight to simulate a real rocket.”
“Then the nose has a parachute on it, so it can be reused.”
As an added bonus, any interested adult can attend a session on Thursday night between 7pm and 9pm.
One Giant Leap is promising a night of fun, information and “a lot of frivolity”. Entry is by donation with all donations going to the Coonamble CWA Evening Branch.