05 Sep 2017
An enduring thirst for knowledge about space will be realised later this month when Dubbo College Year 11 student Daniel Cook embarks on the trip of a lifetime.
The 16-year-old will join a group of 34 students and eight teachers from throughout Australia on an 18-day tour of the United States, including one week at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville Alabama.
The opportunity will see Daniel involved in simulator training, neutral buoyancy and gyroscopic activities, as well as confronting mission scenarios requiring problem solving and critical thinking.
The enthusiastic student said he was very excited but also nervous about his upcoming opportunity.
"This is the first time I will travel overseas so it's a little daunting but also amazing because I am so interested in space," he said.
"After I finish school at the end of 2018 I am hoping to go on to a career associated with the space industry – perhaps in structural engineering or micro technology engineering.
"This trip will help me to confirm in my own mind exactly what aspect of space I will pursue as a future career."
Daniel became aware of the opportunity to attend Space Camp USA when Senior Campus head teacher James Eddy posted the information.
"As soon as I saw it I decided to apply and then I spoke with the organiser Ken Silburn before they confirmed my place," he said.
"As well as the week-long space camp, I will also have the opportunity to visit New York and see a Broadway show, a baseball game and visit USS Intrepid.
"We then have three days in Washington where we will go to the world-renowned museum and research complex, the Smithsonian Institute, before flying to Alabama.
"The last leg of the journey will be to the west coast to visit Disneyland and Universal Studios in Los Angeles."
Daniel is currently studying both physics and chemistry, as well as engineering studies at Dubbo College Senior Campus.
"I would really love to be involved with breaking edge technologies at the frontier of science and I believe a future career in the space industry would provide that," he said.
"I've been really interested in space as a concept since my older brother introduced me to it with documentaries when I was about seven-years-old.
"I am really looking forward to this great opportunity and I would like to thank the Rotary Clubs of Dubbo, Senior Campus P&C and my family and friends for their financial support for this venture."
Daniel leaves Australia on September 22 and returns October 10.