Horizon eyed the sky during Space Week
During Space Week at Horizon Elementary School, sixth-grade science teacher Amara Alexander helped students with testing ablative shields to protect an egg from a heat source. The experiment simulates heat shields that protect astronauts. CONTRIBUTED
Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Record, Monrovia, News, Schools, Unincorporated Madison County, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
4:48 pm Friday, May 12, 2017

Horizon eyed the sky during Space Week

MADISON – Each day during the week of May 8, students engaged in special activities, experiments and discussions at each grade level at Horizon Elementary School.

Woodmen of the World Insurance Agency provided their planetarium so each class had a chance to immerse themselves in an imaginative visit to outer space. During lunch break, Horizon students had a chance to view into the sky with solar telescopes, coordinator Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Bero said. Bero works as Gifted Specialist at Horizon.

On May 8, Horizon fifth-grade teacher Tesa Hernandez served as featured speaker. Another speaker, Dr. Ruth Jones from Marshall Space Flight Center talked to students about possible careers at NASA.

Sixth-grade science teacher Amara Alexander assisted her students in testing ablative shields that they had constructed. Students designed the shields to protect an egg from damage by a heat source. The simulation showed the work of scientists to protect astronauts from dangerous heat levels during re-entry to earth’s atmosphere.

Horizon students used their imagination for “Patriotic Colors Day” and “Dress Like a Space Scientist Day.” NASA presenter Melissa Van Dyke kept imaginations whirling with her talk, “Going to Mars.” Mitzi Adams from NASA also spoke.

Also spurring their imaginations, Horizon teachers used common, household objects to conduct experiments and to mock up aerospace equipment. Lara Baswell used film canisters for kindergartners to have imitation space shuttles. Emily Cheek helped students make constellation models and ‘straw rockets.’

An ‘explosive’ experiment involved Mentos mints and Coca-Cola, coordinated by Christy McGuire. Traci Bruce and Beth Nickols guided students on a retro trip with old-school paper airplanes.

On May 11, members of Huntsville Area Rocketry Association visited the campus to launch rockets as students gathered on the soccer field to observe the long-range blast-offs and landings back on earth. For kindergarten students, Bero’s students designed a built a model version of a space vehicle for the youngsters to explore during Space Week.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *