Trussville resident graduates with honors from Aviation Challenge

By Amalia Kortright, For the Tribune

TRUSSVILLE — Trussville resident Elijah Bell recently graduated with honors from the Aviation Challenge – Mach II, which is part of the Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. The Aviation Challenge is a weeklong, educational program that incorporates science, technology, engineering and math while training participants through hands-on activities and missions.

via Facebook

Mach II, the program Bell participated in, was specifically designed for students who are interested in military aviation and the mechanics of flight. His week was spent with a team that trained to fly a simulated F-18 fighter jet. The team learned critical land and water survival skills. They also mastered Top Gun flying maneuvers using teamwork, leadership skills and problem solving skills.

Aviation Challenge was founded in 1990 in Huntsville. The goal of the program is to use fighter pilot training techniques to engage students in real world situations involving science, technology, engineering and math. All students sleep in barracks that are designed to resemble military bays.

Over 75,000 students have graduated from Space Camp and similar programs at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Notable alumni include STS-131 astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and Dr. Kate Rubins, who launched to the International Space Station this summer. Last year, students and teachers from all 50 states and 69 international locations attended Space Camp.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate is also home to the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket and several world class traveling exhibits. USSRC also serves as the Official Visitor Center for the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. They also showcase national defense technology that was developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal.

Anyone interested in learning more about Space Camp and Aviation Challenge can click here or call 1-800-637-7223.