ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As NASA counts down to the historic Artemis II mission, students at Bay Point Elementary are launching their own deep dive into space exploration. By mapping lunar routes and studying rocket science, these St. Pete scholars are bridging the gap between the Apollo era and modern spaceflight.
What You Need To Know
Bay Point Elementary students are studying the history and physics of the Artemis II mission
Gifted third through fifth graders used hands-on centers to map the rocket’s route to the moon
Teacher Dayna Locke uses the 1969 Apollo era to inspire a new generation of space explorers
Dayna Locke’s gifted class of third through fifth graders began their journey by studying the history of the Apollo 11 mission before pivoting to the future of lunar travel.
“We studied JFK’s speech, as well as Obama’s speech about the importance of space exploration,” Locke said. “And now, students are diving into more real world application for the Artemis II in preparation.”
The students rotated through specialized stations, performing tasks ranging from technical rocket analysis to charting the trajectory for the upcoming crewed flight. For fifth grader Nour Mellouki, the lessons brought the solar system to life.
“It shows us the sun and how the Earth orbits around it,” Mellouki said.
Dayna Locke’s gifted class of third through fifth graders began their journey by studying the history of the Apollo 11 mission before pivoting to the future of lunar travel. (Specrum News/Fallon Silcox)
For others, like fifth-grader Micah Skladel, the fascination is personal. Skladel recalled watching a launch near the Kennedy Space Center at age seven.
“I could feel it in the windows — the windows were shaking,” Skladel said. “When I saw it go up, it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to be an astrophysicist or an astronaut.”
While a classroom cannot replicate the physical power of a shuttle launch, Locke hopes these activities ignite a lifelong passion for science.
“Their thirst for knowledge is insatiable,” Locke said. “They’re excited because they know in 1969 their parents or grandparents were watching this on TV. Now they get to be in that spot.”
For these students, the countdown to Artemis II isn’t just about a rocket — it’s a historic moment they will remember for the rest of their lives.