MADISON – During five days this semester, the thoughts of Horizon Elementary School’s entire study body drifted from ground earth to the stars, planets and beyond for 2019 Space Week.  

Horizon has held a Space Week celebration every year since the school opened.

“For many years, we have held Space Week in May,” coordinator Beth Bero said. Bero, a National Board Certified Teacher, works as Horizon’s Gifted Specialist. For 2019, teachers wanted a new approach and scheduled the fair in January.

“Just as a way to perk up the late winter doldrums!” Bero said.

Space Week introduces students to career possibilities and shows the types of work that adults do for a living in Madison. The event also ignites an interest in astronomy and space science.

Starting Space Week, special education teacher Leigh Boatwright organized carline workers to wear ‘space’ clothing. Bero gave astronomy presentations to all grades, K-5, with a portable planetarium, loaned from Woodmen of the World Insurance Agency of Hartselle.

Led by Rebecca Colon, the PTA committee offered fun, space-related activities. Kindergarten students launched Alka-Seltzer rockets, while first-graders designed constellation pictures and launched straw rockets.

Horizon second-graders made paper-plate UFOs. The third grade learned about propulsion with a Mentos-and-cola demonstration. To test principles of flight, fourth-graders tested the aerodynamics of paper airplanes.

Fifth-grade students competed for the best design to protect a water balloon from breaking upon impact with the ground.

For their 2019 visit, Madison Fire and Rescue Department brought their ladder truck and helped test the students’ impact containers. “Parachutes, bubble wrap and other creative methods were tested with great enthusiasm,” Bero said.

All teachers planned space-theme lessons and invited parents working in space-related fields to visit as guest speakers. Bero’s fifth-grade astronomy class presented astronomy trivia during morning announcements and created a model solar system for Horizon’s front hallway.

“Parents that volunteered had a wonderful time. I heard from students, personally; they were all happy and excited about Space Week,” Rebecca Colon said. “The perfect word is, indeed, ‘enthusiastic’! I was extremely impressed with their creativity, willingness to try new things, courage in the face of possible failure and (mutual) support.”

One fifth-grade teacher said her students were most enthusiastic than ever, especially struggling students.

Colon thanked Bero for allowing her to help organize Space Week. “I’ve been honored to do so. Ms. Bero does wonderful things for our school and other places as well. She is a blessing,” Colon said.