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Young Astronauts

Young Astronaut Program History

The Young Astronaut program at Columbus Magnet School is an activity-based curriculum using space and space travel as the backdrop for scientific inquiry. As an after school enrichment program, it is open to grades one through five. Unlike other after school activities, the Young Astronauts combine serious learning with a sense of wonder and fun.

As children progress through each grade, the level and sophistication of the lessons grow with them. With several years of "astronauting" under their belts, fifth grade Young Astronauts are eligible for the annual simulated mission.

The fifth grade simulated mission is a year long program of intense learning and training in preparation for a 24 hour space operation that is run each May. The participants are divided between astronauts and mission controllers. Only the most determined fifth graders volunteer for what is a demanding, yet rewarding, year.

The fifth graders continue the science learning they began in earlier grades, with a greater emphasis on hands-on scientific investigation. Additionally, many sessions are devoted to the concepts and application of team building exercises - skills that serve the astronauts and controllers well during the pressures of a day long mission. These students also participate in community service and charitable projects throughout the year. Finally, there is a distinct emphasis placed on physical training, as the children learn that a fit body leads to a fit mind.

The first mission was held in 1996 under the direction and guidance of former principal, Art Perschino. Today, the Young Astronauts program relies and thrives on the dedication and expertise of the fantastic parents and faculty of Columbus School, as well as the exceptional students who participate in the program. We fully expect the program to continue and improve with each new year!

2008 YA Mission Web Site

2007 YA Mission Web Site

2006 YA Mission Web Site

2005 YA Mission Web Site

2004 YA Mission Web Site
(Click here for origins of the Apollo Moon Missions)

2003 YA Mission Web Site

2002 YA Mission Web Site

2001 YA Mission Web Site

The following is the historical record of Columbus Magnet School's Young Astronauts simulated space missions, including name, objective, and participants:

1996

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

Cooperation 7

Trip to the Moon

Katie Benfield
Nick Guarcello
Scott Hardison
Ami Maru
Hilary Miners
Megan Urgh
Valerie Tamburro

Paola Ochoa
Francesco Restrepo
Amanda Winters

1997

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

Star Cruiser

Mars Fly-by

Elana Ben-Porat
Walter Greene
Emily McGoldrick
Enrigue Perez-Brown
Ben Reed
Belinda Sarosi
Frank Stashenko

Arpit Argawal
Gina Acosta
Sean Meany

1998

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

America 7

Capturing a Satellite

Philip Tenser
Annie Benfield
Will Horn
Hannah Miners
Kevin Rath
Kelley Walters
Stephanie Tom

John Konya
Valerie Tamburro
Arin Canoblat
Suzy Winston

1999

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:








Mission Control:

 

Global Link 8

A Visit to Mir

Nellie Farrow
Monica Tobin
Ben Mullaney
Depti Dedhia
Chris Giorgione
Carly Guarcello
Jeffrey Howland
Mark Vincent

Carly Imhoff
Max Lysobey
Catie Farrow
Emily Vazquez

2000

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

Mars Explorer

Visit to the Red Planet

Jonathan Bailey
Lee Blair
Billy Brancaccio
Priyanka Choletti
Allegra Staples
Sam Werner
Zachary Sullivan

Andrew Knopp
Sampat Nidadavolu
Kristen Rosetti
Anna Konya

2001

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

A Space Odyssey

Trip to the Space Station

Nick Carroll
Cody Greene
Brandon Holman
Kelsey Knies
Chelsea Murphy
Cat Rivera
Kimberly Tom

Zachary Pearce
Peter Camacho
Rabi Alam
Joel Tenser

2002

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

Operation NEAR

Landing on an Asteroid

Kaitlin Arcario
Maxwell Blair
Rolana Edwards
Megan Lacovara
Chris Mulford
Justin Suib
Marshall Weiss

Kevin Poruban
Adriana Rexson
Ross Tiffen
Dylan Sodaro

2003

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:








Mission Control:

 

Lunar Voyage

Trip to the Moon

Nicole Brancaccio
Kevin Cawley
Haley Knies
George Kosmidis
Kuba Nowicki
Sandra Pons
Jordan Ullman
Colin Walters

Sophia Aravidis
Calyx Garcia
Victoria Lea
Lara Lefkowitch
Liana Meir
Alex Muniz
Nidhi Pandya
Matt Rossetti
Jonathan Tabora
Ellie Werner
Joseph Williams

2004

Name:

Objective:


Shuttle Crew:





Mission Control:

 

Century Mission 2004

Return to Apollo
(Click here for origins of the Apollo Moon Missions)

Lucas Aubrey
Allison Lindsay
Ethan Pearce
Ian Rapfogel
Ryan Williams

Matt Carroll
Charlie Kahler
Justin McGown
Ronnie Robinson
Luke Samuel
Jesse Tiffen
Juan Velasquez
Chris Yerinides

2005

Name:

Objective:


Shuttle Crew:





Mission Control:

 

Phoenix 13-10-25

Return to Flight/Celebrating 10 Years of Missions
and 25 Years of Columbus Magnet School

Kyle Buswell
Will Atkin
Justin Poruban
Matthew Mason
Taylor Greene

Douglas Streat
John Conover
Richie Henderson
Tabitha Goulart
Ashley Ramirez
Ricky Murphy
Benyamin Schacter
Nai Williams

2006

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:







Mission Control:

 

Project Inspire

First Teacher in Space/Building the ISS

Paul Arcario
Kyle Mathews
Genevieve Kelly
Conor Mulford
Michal Nowicki
Kayla Sodaro
Jake Jacobsen

Zachary Bartolo
Sheetal Akole
Dylan Ashton
Ethan Rappaport
Blair Reports
Crystle Hill
Bryan Segura
Oswaldo Segura
Ricky Liscio
Dylan Ramirez
Giovanni Coello

2007

Name:

Objective:

Shuttle Crew:





Mission Control:

 

Janus 50

Retrieve Sputnik/Repair the ISS

Emma Ashton
Sam Gande
Toni Ann Grasso
Jordan Keyes
Joe Magnoli

Chris Hard
Richard Li
Cooper Lindsay
Jeffery Mitchell
Ben Morales
Meeraj Pandya
Simone Patterson
Conor Stephenson
Christopher Thigpen

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