Key Takeaways
- Higher Orbits has engaged over 3,000 students in STEM education through its Go For Launch! programme.
- The programme has launched 24 student-designed experiments to space, with four more scheduled for 2026.
- Higher Orbits' focus extends beyond technical knowledge, emphasizing communication, leadership, and teamwork alongside STEM education.
Introduction to Higher Orbits
Higher Orbits, a non-profit organisation, was founded in 2015 by Michelle Lucas, who spent about a decade working at Nasa. The organisation's Go For Launch! programme began in 2016, aiming to engage students in spaceflight-inspired STEM experiments.
The programme's first event took place at Deerfield High School in Illinois, featuring former Nasa astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger. Ten years later, the organisation returned to the same school for its 100th Go For Launch! programme, again featuring Metcalf-Lindenburger.
Background and History
Michelle Lucas, the founder of Higher Orbits, spent about a decade working at Nasa, including in International Space Station flight-control operations planning and as an astronaut instructor. She established Higher Orbits to use spaceflight as a way of making STEM education more engaging and accessible to students.
Go For Launch! Programme
Go For Launch! is built around the idea that students can move beyond learning about space and actually design experiments inspired by the challenges of spaceflight. During the programme, students form teams, develop scientific questions, and design experiments that could potentially operate in a space environment.
Students work alongside astronauts and industry professionals, developing skills in research design, communication, teamwork, and leadership. At the end of the programme, teams present their concepts to judges from the space and STEM communities.
Experiments in Space
Depending on the particular Go For Launch! series, winning experiments can be selected for flight to the International Space Station or for a suborbital mission. The programme has connected a conventional school-based activity with the practical considerations involved in conducting research beyond Earth.
One of the first experiments reached the International Space Station in 2017. Since then, Higher Orbits has launched 24 experiments to space, with four additional experiments scheduled to head to the ISS during the first half of 2026.
Impact and Growth
The programme's growth has taken Higher Orbits well beyond its original Deerfield setting. According to the ISS National Laboratory, Go For Launch! had engaged more than 3,000 students through nearly 100 workshops nationwide by 2026.
Higher Orbits has also said its programmes have reached students across more than 20 states, with its 10th-anniversary material putting the figure at 23 states.
Career Opportunities
The organisation's focus extends beyond technical knowledge. Its programme materials emphasise communication, leadership, teamwork, research design, and problem-solving alongside STEM education. Students are also introduced to career paths that stretch beyond becoming astronauts, including engineering, medicine, cybersecurity, manufacturing, communications, business, and research.
- Commercial spaceflight
- Advanced manufacturing
- Satellite technology
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Robotics
- Lunar exploration
10th-Anniversary Celebration
The 100th programme was part of a larger 10th-anniversary celebration in the Chicago area. From June 24 to 27, Higher Orbits held its first Student Symposium: Alumni Rendezvous, bringing former participants together for networking, lightning talks, mentoring, professional development, and hands-on activities with astronauts and aerospace professionals.
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Former Nasa astronauts Wendy Lawrence, Kate Rubins, Don Thomas, and Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger were scheduled to participate. The anniversary programme also included a Stellar Soirรฉe on June 27 at the Henry Crown Space Center at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Expert Perspective
According to Michelle Lucas, the founder of Higher Orbits, the organisation's goal is to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields and to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in these fields.
Implications for Readers in India
The success of Higher Orbits' Go For Launch! programme has implications for readers in India, where there is a growing interest in STEM education and space exploration. The programme's focus on hands-on learning, teamwork, and leadership can serve as a model for similar initiatives in India.
What to Watch Next
As Higher Orbits continues to grow and expand its programmes, readers can expect to see more exciting developments in the field of STEM education and space exploration. With its focus on inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, Higher Orbits is poised to make a lasting impact on the world of STEM education.
Future of STEM Education
The future of STEM education looks promising, with organisations like Higher Orbits leading the way. As technology continues to advance and the demand for skilled workers in STEM fields grows, programmes like Go For Launch! will play an increasingly important role in preparing students for successful careers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Higher Orbits' 10-year anniversary marks a significant milestone in the organisation's mission to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields. With its Go For Launch! programme, Higher Orbits has demonstrated the power of hands-on learning, teamwork, and leadership in STEM education, and its impact will be felt for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Go For Launch! programme?
The Go For Launch! programme is a spaceflight-inspired STEM education programme that engages students in hands-on learning, teamwork, and leadership.
How many students has Higher Orbits engaged through its programmes?
Higher Orbits has engaged over 3,000 students through its Go For Launch! programme.
What is the significance of Higher Orbits' 10-year anniversary?
Higher Orbits' 10-year anniversary marks a significant milestone in the organisation's mission to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields, with a decade of successful programming and a growing impact on the STEM education community.
