Sask. Grade 5 girl reaches for the stars at NASA Space Camp

A 10-year-old Saskatchewan kid is headed to a summer camp that’s not focused on the usual s’mores and campfire tunes.

Tallica Robson is going to NASA’s Space Camp.

The camp is an educational program for both kids and adults in Huntsville, Alabama. The camp focuses on topics like space exploration, aviation, and robotics.

The grade five student from Regina has her starry eyes focused on becoming an astrophysicist for NASA.

Robson said that her love of space started a long time ago.

“I first started with a book that I found in my classroom library, and I thought it looked amazing, so I opened it up and flipped through some of the pages, and it was gorgeous. I loved the images of deep space, and I loved the science behind it, so I looked more into it, and now I’m going to NASA,” said Robson.

Robson’s mom, Jodi, said that it was quite the process trying to apply for the program.

“It was quite a process; it took about three hours to get all the paperwork done, and then there was a waiting period before they said okay, you’re selected,” said Jodi.

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Robson said that there will be a lot to do when she gets to the camp.

“I’m going to be there for five days and five nights. I’ll be staying in a facility called the Habitat; it’s very similar to where the people who work at NASA would be staying, and we’ll be partaking in many, many different simulations, and you’ll also learn how to build and launch your own model rocket,” said Robson.

Jodi said the camp is very unique.

“It’s a very space-age experience, like they’re not allowed to take cell phones or money; everything will be put on a wristband, so when she goes to a vending machine, she’ll tap the machine with her wristband. To get in and out of different areas, she’ll have to tap. The wristband is the security for everything, which is pretty cool,” said Jodi.

To be able to afford to go to Space Camp, Robson created and sold her own jewellery and paintings. She made all of the jewellery by hand, working after school for about 5–6 months. In the end, she had created close to 2000 different earrings. Jodi’s mom said that thanks to her daughter’s hard work and help from the community, Robson was able to afford to go to Space Camp.

Robson will attend Space Camp as part of Expedition 49 from August 25 to 29.