Science Comes to Life - 6th Grade Field Study

At Detroit Achievement Academy, the 6th Grade Crew enjoyed a unique field study experience organized by Brother Lief, their ELA Teacher. He chose to take them to the Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair Shores Community College, linking science to their learning with social studies and reading, particularly focusing on the curriculum unit inspired by the novel "Hidden Figures''. Established after the tragic loss of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1986, the Challenger Learning Center provided an immersive experience for the students.

The day began in a briefing room where the crew provided background information on their mission and plan for the day. Students were then divided into teams and assigned responsibilities, switching roles between mission control and being on the spacecraft. When students were assigned roles to enter the spacecraft, they completed simulations that astronauts are required to go through before entering space, including decontamination and transport to the shuttle.

The Challenger Learning Center offered students the opportunity to discover firsthand the breakthroughs made through curiosity, creativity, and perseverance, which are also core habits of character at DAA. It was an enriching and educational experience that allowed the students to apply their knowledge in a practical setting