Just Add Water: Team Bamboo Goes to Space
3…2…1…blast those bamboo seeds into space! For nine years, two seniors who have been with Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School, a tuition-free TK-12th grade public school in Castaic, California, since kindergarten have watched as we sent experiments into space to study the effects of microgravity through the DreamUp to Space program. Now, it’s their turn as they work with a crew of 7th through 12th graders as part of Team Bamboo. We talked with the group about their project, their team, and of course, what the seniors are doing after graduation.
How the Team Came Together
The four seniors (and principal investigators) of Team Bamboo – Quinn R., Madi F., Sergio Vazquez R., and Jonah O. – came up with a proposal to study the effects of microgravity on bamboo in their aerospace class, part of SCVi’s aerospace program. Once accepted, the team recruited three more members from the lower school: Wyatt N. (7th grade), Kara C.(7th grade), and Ariel M. (8th grade). Madi had the opportunity to present the team’s proposal to the SCVi Aerospace Pathway Advisory Council, which is comprised of industry experts.
Kara: I wanted to join because I liked my experience from last year, and I thought not being the leader (this time) and being part of the team would be a new opportunity.
Ariel: I applied because I did the same exact project for my proposal except I used peanuts, and I thought, “Well, they’re doing bamboo. I mean, I’ll do either – it’s a great experience either way.” I really wanted to join the team and really just experience what it’s like to be in high school and be with other people.
Wyatt: I joined because it’s fun. I also did the DreamUp program in the 5th grade.
Research Time
Starting last Fall, the team met virtually once a week after school and on Fridays at 12:30 in person at school. Students are busy at SCVi with sports, clubs and class activities, so meeting two times per week felt manageable. Ariel enjoys the glider project the 8th graders get to do as part of the Soaring Aeronautics Project – they practice on a flight simulator in preparation for the opportunity to fly a glider at the end of the year with a certified instructor. “We go through the whole process of learning how to fly a glider and what it means, like all the parts of a glider. I’m also in ASB, so I do all of the lower school dances and stuff for 8th grade and middle school.”
Who Designed the Awesome Logo?
Kara, who also led the Bok Choy DreamUp to Space project last year!
Space Time
The launch date to send their experiment to the International Space Station is set for April 21. Once in space, an astronaut will unclamp the MixStix, which will release water to the seeds, starting the germination process. The MixStix is the hardware offered by Voyager for introductory microgravity experimentation, a seven-inch tube that can be divided into chambers for experiment materials. The experiment will be on ISS for about 30 days before its return to Earth.
Back on Earth, the team will run the experiment concurrently but 24 hours after the space seeds have been activated. Once the experiment is returned, the MixStix is sent back to SCVi and the team will conduct a post-flight analysis.
Presentations
Part of the team traveled to Florida earlier this year to give a presentation on their experiment. Later in April, the team will present first to the school board and then to the school and local community where they will also receive recognition from community leaders.
Senior Goals
The seniors are not only busy with space experiments but also celebrating all the ways SCVi makes their senior year special and planning what they are doing after graduation. Here are their ideas right now!
– Quinn wants to attend school for theatre in the Pacific Northwest. She’s thinking about Lewis and Clark College or the University of Puget Sound.
– Jonah has his eyes on trade school for land surveying certification, a passion he’s been interested in for years and even focused on for his 10th grade personal project.
– Sergio was accepted into the prestigious Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Engineering University but may start out at a community college and transfer to Cal Poly Pomona for Aerospace Engineering.
– Madi was also accepted into the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Engineering University, but it’s very expensive, so she is thinking about doing community college at Orange Coast and getting her pilot’s license. “My goal is to become a pilot… I became interested in aviation when we did the glider project in 8th grade.”
We’re so proud of Team Bamboo and all of the hard work they’ve put into this project. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll be living in bamboo houses on Mars made possible by their research! Want to learn more about the exciting aerospace projects we have here at SCVi? Call us for a tour or connect with us for more information! Enrolling now.
About SCVi:
Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. Founded in 2008, we use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadsantaclarita.org. Join our innovative school today!
