An Abbotsford girl is among 52 youth from across the nation selected to attend the virtual Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Junior Astronaut Camp next month.
Xauni de Figeuiroa, a Grade 8 student at Chief Dan George Middle School, will participate in a week of space training from July 26 to 30. The students will virtually join astronauts, engineers and scientists from the CSA.
The young space enthusiasts will be challenged through a series of fun and engaging activities, from operating a real rover during a simulated Moon mission to solving Earth problems using satellite imagery and working out with astronauts and space fitness experts.
The camp will offer them a unique chance to learn about space careers as well as the scientific, physical and leadership qualities they will need to develop if they strive to participate to a future mission to the Moon.
The participants were selected through a random draw from a pool of eligible candidates who had previously completed online Junior Astronauts activities in three streams – science and technology, fitness and nutrition, and teamwork and communication – which represent the different types of knowledge and skills needed by astronauts.
A total of 27 girls and 25 boys in Grades 6 to 9 were selected, with 18 from Western Canada and six from B.C