The
Isle of Hope Middle School #Fiddlernauts Student Astronaut Club has launched
its new Bobcat Space Shuttle Simulator. The simulator is a vital component,
supplementing math and problem-solving skills, in the students’ preparation to
compete in NASA-University of Florida Student Astronaut Challenge.
The
simulator was funded by the Skidaway Island Rotary Club and built by the
Bethesda Barn Builders, Rotarians and Isle of Hope #Fiddlernauts. It will
provide an on-site environment that closely replicates the functions of the
NASA competitive site, giving the Isle of Hope Middle Schooler’s Club an added
benefit in practice time.
The
#Fiddlernauts is an afterschool club which has 18-20 students from grades 6-8.
The Club was started in the Fall of 2016 when Mr. Wade Smith, Mr. Darren
Bagley-Heath and Ms. Carolyn Rethwisch first took a team of 12 students to
compete in a Regional Student Astronaut Challenge competition in Richmond
Hill. Over the past three years, the
#Fiddlernauts have had tremendous success. In the most recent national 2019
Student Astronaut Challenge at Cape Kennedy, competing against 14 other top
middle schools across several states, the #Fiddlernauts TEAM #1 (all girls
team) placed 1st in the Space Shuttle Landing Challenge. With the additional help of Ms. Margaret
Nease (GA Southern/Armstrong University), they also placed 1st in
the Lab Challenge (“Powering small home appliances by using a car
battery”). When all four of the
challenges were averaged together, the #Fiddlernauts all-girls Team #1 was 2nd
in the nation overall! Finally, to top
off the celebrating, the crew of TEAM #1 once again brought home the Apollo 13
Teamwork Award. The award has only been given twice and this was the second
consecutive year for the #Fiddlernauts.
This is a HUGE feat for the young team.
This talented group of students
is inspired and coached by Isle of Hope School 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year
Ms. Carolyn Rethwisch and Dr. Barbara Serianni of GA Southern/Armstrong
University. The
Skidaway Rotary Club is proud to be able to support these outstanding young
people and their mentors. The Skidaway Club’s primary goals are to support and
stimulate Early Childhood Learning and Student Leadership. In developing this
simulator, the potential to develop these IOH young people’s leadership skills
is greatly enhanced. THE SKY IS THE
LIMIT!
See more photos here: https://bit.ly/2JGgY52
