Postcards from local students on the way to outer space

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of local students are taking their learning out of the classroom and into outer space.

Jayce Slaughter said she recently learned a lot more about planets outside Earth.

The 5th grader and hundreds of other River City Science Academy students filled out postcards.

On the cards, they answered the question ‘Why do you think the Earth needs space?’.

Teacher Morgan Gallina told Action News Jax, “It was very open-ended, like, what can we do in space? What can we use space for?”

Tuesday the notes were on their way to Texas to be launched into outer space on board the Blue Origin during an upcoming New Shepard rocket launch.

The project is a partnership with Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub.

Gallina said it takes textbook lessons and turns them into reality.

She described, “School should be more than just reading textbooks. It needs to be hands-on, what can I do in the future.”

The teacher said most kids sent notes to astronauts or came up with colorful ideas of the future on another planet.

Jayce explained, “I drew a suit that can go to different planets so we can learn about more planets.”

He said he can’t wait to see his postcard again, along with a fresh ‘Flown From Space’ stamp.

“I’m excited to get it back. It’s going to be really cool,” added Jayce.

For more information click here: https://clubforfuture.org/

Cox Media Group