Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
School’s out of this world
Star-struck after astronauts event
the summer holidays are sure to be out of this world for a st andrew’s high pupil who has just completed a week at space school.
Laura- Anne MacLean joined up with three professional NASA astronauts at Strathclyde University’s recent Scottish Space School event.
And if that’s not enough, the sought- after 16- year- old will also spend time in London and Cambridge after being accepted on a further two prestigious initiatives.
Laura- Anne, who has just progressed into sixth year at the Coatbridge school, hopes to build a successful career in engineering. She said of her first educational adventure: “My week at the space school was great.
“Astronauts from the Johnson Space Centre in Texas, Bi l l McArthur, Bob Semper and Doug Wheelock, volunteer at it every year and encourage the younger generations to get involved with space exploration.
“We did lots of engineering activites including building a bridge and even launched a small rocket in Bellahouston Park.
“They were all really nice and happy to spend time with us explaining that they all came from very normal backgrounds and that anyone can work in the space industry.
“It was a very helpful week and I’m thinking about pursuing a career in space engineering now after hearing about their experiences.”
Next month Laura-Anne will spend a week at the Homerton College campus of Cambridge University attending a science summer school.
The Kirkwood resident will then head to London at the end of July for an internship with multi-billion dollar engineering company CH2M, which delivered 14 venues for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Laura-Anne added: “I signed up for the social mobility foundation charity which provides opportunities for young people.
“I applied for the London internship and the summer school at Cambridge through them and was delighted to be accepted.
“At the residential in London I’ll be mentored and that will help with university applications, and in Cambridge I’ll experience lectures, seminars and practical lab workshops.
“I really don’t mind that it’s during my summer holidays as I’m really looking forward to them both.”
Proud head teacher Michael McKenna added: “Laura-Anne is highly regarded among her peers; she is reliable, trustworthy and a right good pal!
“This is great for her, her family and also for the school that we have such a distinguished pupil doing these things.
“If you could build a composite of what a teacher looks for in a star pupil then she’s got it all.
“These experiences will carry her forward to greater success when she goes on to the next stage of her journey beyond school.”