Astrotrek Information
AstroTrek – An Overnight Adventure
Dear Parents,
Is your child interested in Science? If so, then Hilliard Station has an outstanding opportunity.
PROGRAM
AstroTrek is a popular, two-night, three-day, hands-on aerospace program that includes access to the Space Museum, Rocket Park, Air Rocket Activity, Shuttle Park, 3 Hours of Space History, Parachute Activity, Land Survival, Flight Physiology Activites, participation on two Astronaut-Training Simulators, 2 IMAX movies, and a tour of the Aviation Challenge facility at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The program package follows a schedule that leads students through a complete look at past and present space exploration. Students are encouraged, and challenged, to imagine the future as it relates to space travel. In addition, the students will delve even deeper into aeronautics and aerospace with an aviation experience. This experience gives students the opportunity to get “up-close and personal” with high performance aircraft, such as the F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom, AV-8 Harrier, and others.
INCLUDES
One Astro-Log workbook for each student
AstroTrek T-shirt
Two nights of lodging in the Space Center dorms
Five meals in the Space Center cafeteria
An aviation technology activity
Coach-bus transportation to and from Huntsville, Alabama
COSTS
- $350 AstroTrek fee (includes all of the above)
Money needed for two food stops each way; to and from Huntsville ($5 each stop??; $20 total??)
Souvenir money (Gift shop on site; check online for items and prices)
DEPARTURE/RETURN
We will depart early on Monday, May 17 (5:30 am). We will return on the evening of Wednesday, May 19 (10:30 pm-ish).
REQUIREMENTS
AstroTrek is being offered to students who are considered, by their teachers, to be strong in both Math and Science. For the first two grading periods (quarters) in all subjects, students must achieve a GPA of 3.70 or higher. Students must also demonstrate excellent behavior throughout the school year (Saturday School, In-school and Out-of-school suspensions, office referrals, service of detentions, excessive CatCard punches, and case-by-case behavioral issues, etc. will result in a disqualification).
Any student applying for the AstroTrek Program is required to submit the following documentation:
- Application.
- A one- page essay, which depicts your interest in the Science areas of space and technology. Please include a statement detailing why it would be beneficial for you to attend.
- A letter of recommendation from a scout leader, minister, a former elementary teacher, etc. (Get started early on this requirement and plan on a proper timeframe to avoid turning in packet late).
- Initial deposit (yes, this needs to be turned in as the “first come basis” even though it is long before the January deadline)
(Please do not pre-date your check).
We ask for a $175 deposit (check or money order, no pre-dated checks). This deposit will be cashed before the holiday break due to creditors, payout schedules, and dealing with NSF checks. If the list grows beyond the 96 applicants, we accumulate a “wait” list and those checks will not be cashed. Any student not able to go will be given a refund and if not on the final list, un-cashed checks will be returned. (We realize that this is near the holiday season, but with the timeline schedule that we have, a self-funded program, and PTO requirements, we need to collect funds at this time.) Please make your check or money order payable to Hilliard Station PTO.
Applications will be available to interested students on Monday, Nov. 30th after Thanksgiving break. If you are interested in having your child participate in this wonderful opportunity, all materials need to be returned to Mr. Kaufman no later than Friday,, January 15(**) or sooner with the “first come basis.” Once accepted, a final payment of $175 will be due no later than Monday, February 15 (missed deadline will result of being disqualified).
Please note: all 4 items need to be turned in at same time as an “application packet”.
(**)We have a capacity limit 96 students. Because of this, we will accept the first 96 students who have turned in the application, essay, recommendation letter, and initial deposit (all four items at once); I will accept early entries (completed packet,) beginning Nov. 30th, and the first 96 seats could/will fill before the January 15 deadline.
(Helpful hint: This is a first come, first fill basis, having your essay and recommendation letter done early (prior to Nov. 30th) will assure quick turn-in after application hand-out and please bring your packet directly to Mr. Kaufman, do not give to your Science teacher). Previous years, spaces have filled before Christmas break!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Dan Kaufman with an email at mrkhomeroom@yahoo.com (best) or Dan_Kaufman@hboe.org.
