Simulated space missions and rocket launches will be all in a day’s work for Meg Cummins in July.
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The 16-year-old St Mary Star of the Sea College student has earned a spot at the International Space Camp, held at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama.
She is one of two Australian students the Australian Scholarships Group will send overseas to take part in the week-long camp.
Among the scores of activities, campers participate in simulated space training missions, listen to astronauts talk about their profession and conduct space-related experiments.
Meg, who wants to pursue a career in astronomy or earth and environmental science, has long been fascinated by the universe.
‘‘I grew up looking at the stars and have always had an interest in the idea that there’s other things out there,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s the idea that as a scientist you can explain everything, you can find reason behind life, you can work out the basis of every being and search the solar system and realise you’re a tiny speck in the whole world and there is so much to explore.’’
After sharing the exciting news with her family and friends – and ‘‘high-fiving every single one of my teachers’’ – Meg has her thoughts set on meeting students from around the world.
‘‘I’m just looking forward to being with like-minded people,’’ she said.
‘‘We’ll have different ideas on space and science and it’ll be a room full of people from around the world that will have the same passion as me.’’