By Jennifer Chiu
Lisgar Collegiate students will go ahead with their simulated space mission this year, but the school board says they will have to develop a more modern space voyage next year if the extracurricular program is to continue.
The issues surrounding the safety and validity of the 14-year space program arose after an inspection of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s media centre revealed the room violated several fire safety regulations.
With no emergency exit and no emergency lighting, officials feared students would not be able to get out of the building on Bronson Avenue and the Queensway.
A cramped mission room containing the space ship, mission control and space habitat also caused concern.
As a temporary measure for this year, the Board decided to allow the launch to operate in the same room once the necessary changes are made to ensure student safety.
About 50 students take part in the 72-hour voyage to one of Jupiter’s moons. During the three days, astronauts collect planetary surface items or work on problems like patching holes outside the shuttle.
Mission control has contact with the astronauts through videoconferencing and radio communication, similar to that used in a real space mission.
Officials and students pushed the mission date to April 9, three weeks after the original launch date, to allow students and officials enough time to prepare the room for the launch.
Superintendent of schools Judith Hoye says the fire department will put in emergency lighting to the fire alarm, reflective tape to show the fire escape route and some electrical work so the room meets safety requirements.
Before the launch, students are required to create and practice a fire evacuation plan, while extra adults will oversee the project in case of emergency during the mission.
But Hoye says after this year, students will have to develop a more modern space program that complements the Ontario curriculum.
David Owen, a student taking part in the mission, says he is happy with the decision.
“I’m really glad that we were able to run a mission, even though I had hoped we would be able to run it on time,” he says, adding the program is important and students will look at ways to improve it and keep it going.
Hoye says she told Lisgar students to aim high in their plans for the program, but notes that funding and resources could be an issue. She says there are many organizations that may fund the program, depending on how much students need for a new mission.
Hoye also adds the room at the media centre will probably not be used in future space missions. That’s because it’s already too small, she says.
The extracurricular project has been ongoing since September. The mission has operated for 14 years, with the first 11 launches taking place at the former Ottawa Technical high school on Albert Street and the last two at the media centre. The space program is one of two in North America.