Countdown to NASA
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:04 p.m., November 15, 2007
Updated 01:04 p.m., November 15, 2007
Four physics students at Madison High School have a lot to look forward to in March — a trip to NASA headquarters in Houston.
Jody McCollum has taught physics for 15 years. This is her first year teaching at Madison High School. One of the reasons McCollum organizes trips for her students is to encourage other students to take the class, she said. Also, the students deserve the trips.
“Physics is hard and the students need a break,” McCollum said.
This year, four students — Seniors Matt Baysinger, Misty Waggoner, Joe McIlvain and Jordan Schawe — get to take the trip. McIlvain took physics last year, but McCollum invited him to come along.
McCollum said she’s taken her students from other schools on the trip in the past and it’s been beneficial for them.The trip includes a two-night stay at a hotel. McCollum said the hotel they stay at is a nice one that includes a full breakfast so students don’t have to worry about paying for breakfast. They just have to worry about the other meals and souvenirs, McCollum said.
Waggoner said she’s looking forward to going to Houston and getting out of school.
“I’m looking forward to going somewhere different and getting to do new stuff,” she said.
For Baysinger and McIlvain, the draw is the careers they are interested in.
“The career I’m going into could be relative,” Baysinger said. “I’m going into plastics engineering. I’m hopefully going to learn more about the career.”
McIlvain plans on going into musicThe trip costs $122 per person, hotel included. The board of education will pay for a vehicle and the gas down and back, McCollum said.
The students plan to raise money for the trip with a Valentine’s Day fundraiser at the school.
For information on how to donate, call Madison High School, (620) 437-2909.