Hamburg Girl Scout attends space camp

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. — Erin Johnson of Hamburg recently attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA's official Visitor Information Center for Marshall Space Flight Center.

The weeklong educational program promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while training students and adults with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and decision-making.

Johnson was part of the Advanced Academy Program through Girl Scouts of America Destinations.

This program is designed for high school students who have a particular interest in science and aerospace. Trainees spent the week with a team that flew a simulated Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). As a part of Team Von Tiesenhausen, Johnson participated as a shuttle pilot for the Beta mission and for the Alpha and Charlie missions, she participated as commander of the ISS. Once aboard the ISS, the crew participated in experiments and successfully completed an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), or space walk. Trainees received college credit for participating in the program. Johnson and crew returned to Earth in time to hear retired Space Shuttle Astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger speak at their graduation.

Participants learned about different types of telescopes, solar systems, and launched model rockets.