{"id":2796,"date":"2023-03-14T12:56:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-14T16:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nnpa.org\/education\/?p=2796"},"modified":"2023-05-29T15:05:41","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T19:05:41","slug":"baltimore-city-8th-grader-makes-spatial-moves-in-stem-with-launch-of-bacteria-experiment-into-outer-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nnpa.org\/education\/2023\/03\/14\/baltimore-city-8th-grader-makes-spatial-moves-in-stem-with-launch-of-bacteria-experiment-into-outer-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Baltimore City 8th grader makes spatial moves in STEM with launch of bacteria experiment into outer space"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Nicole D. Batey<\/p>\n

Morgan Grayson has not yet entered high school and she is already making a profound impact in outer space.<\/p>\n

Recently, she and her team, Team Andromeda, were selected as winners of Higher Point\u2019s 2021 Go For Launch! event in Lakeland, Fla.<\/p>\n

Together,\u00a0 Morgan and teammates Krysta Fowler, Chelsea Mayfield, Anais Mera-Sarnelli and Autumn Rhodes, created an experiment to study the \u2018Effects of Microgravity on a Radiation Resistant Bacteria.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team Andromeda\u2019s project was further developed by Space Tango and is scheduled to leave planet Earth on March 14. The project will catch a ride to the International Space Station on the SpaceX CRS-27 from the Kennedy Center in Florida shortly after 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels really surreal to have our project chosen to go into space. I just couldn\u2019t believe it, but I am so excited! I look forward to going to Florida and seeing my teammates\u2014I haven\u2019t seen them in two years,\u201d said Morgan, a student at James McHenry Elementary Middle School in Southwest Baltimore, ahead of traveling to the launch event.<\/p>\n

Her parents, Ian \u201cSonny\u201d and Quianna Grayson couldn\u2019t be prouder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a father, it\u2019s always great to have something to connect with my children over, and for Morgan and that\u2019s math and science,\u201d said Ian Grayson, an engineer. \u201cIn the world we live today, there\u2019s a greater demand for STEM. It impacts almost every area of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.<\/p>\n

From an early age, Morgan showed great interest in math and science. Her parents took notice and got Morgan involved in STEM-related extracurricular activities. They also signed her up for programs that would challenge and expose her to various STEM fields.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was excited that Morgan wanted to follow in her father\u2019s footsteps with math and science and we wanted to do whatever we could to support her interests.\u00a0 She\u2019s really good at it and it keeps her engaged,\u201d said Quianna Grayson.<\/p>\n

Morgan said she believed submitting a project for the competition would allow her to network with others already established in STEM fields.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy participation with Go For Launch! (GFL!) gave me the opportunity to meet and work with students and professionals who are just as passionate about space exploration as I am,\u201d she said. \u201cI am so excited to be involved with such an awesome project! This is a once in a lifetime experience!\u201d<\/p>\n

GFL! is the hands-on flagship program of Higher Orbits, and spotlights the wonders of spaceflight and space exploration. The program aims to provide students across the country the opportunity to develop and strengthen their skills in STEM, teamwork, communication, research design and leadership. While focusing on spaceflight, GFL! students work alongside a featured astronaut at each event to learn and develop important skills that can be applied in any professional field.<\/p>\n