Student Spotlight: Postcards from a Space Dreamer
In August 2018, Bryce Hilliard attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.
Media Credit: Nancy Hilliard
September 7, 2018 • By Bryce Hilliard
January 11, 2018
Bryce Hilliard used a hydroponic system to grow tomato plants from space-flown seeds.
Media Credit: Nancy Hilliard
My name is Bryce Hilliard. I am a 7th grader at Farmwell Station Elementary School in Ashburn VA. Last summer I was able to attend the ISS R&D Conference in Washington DC. I got to meet you there and you suggested an experiment for me with Tomatosphere. I have been growing the seeds hydroponically and studying the plants in a greenhouse in Virginia. I just wanted to share this picture with you and let you know that I am enjoying researching and observing these plants. I hope to see you again!
Media Credit: The Rotarian
March 9, 2018
My first Tomatosphere project ended prematurely, but it was still a great experience. I was volunteering at a hydroponic farm in Virginia. I planted seeds from both of the packets that Tomatosphere sent me, so some of the seeds had flown in space, and some of them stayed on the ground. In my experiments, the seeds that flew in space grew faster and had more blossoms.
Bryce Hilliard answers interview questions at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
I kept the plants growing and they were doing pretty well, but just when they really started blossoming, we had an Arctic blast in Virginia, and all the plants in the greenhouse died! I don’t have any seeds left, so I’m waiting to get new seeds next year.
With my next batch of Tomatosphere seeds, if I get the same result as last time (that the plants from the space-flown seeds grow faster), I want to see if that characteristic continues over multiple generations of the plant. I also want to look at the plant cells under a microscope and see if there’s a difference.
And of course I want to continue learning about rocketry and all things space!
Media Credit: The Rotarian
June 20, 2018
I wanted to let you know that I am having great success with my Space Dreamers Organization. It is a nonprofit for improving space science education. I have been getting amazing support from ISS-Above, Tomatosphere, and Higher Orbits! Currently my plan is to pilot these three programs in 10 schools and build from there. We will have space science for every student every day of the school year!
These Space Station Explorers programs are supporting Bryce’s Space Dreamers organization by providing educational resources and spreading the word.
My school is allowing me to transform the school cafeteria into a Space Station! We will have an ISS-Above unit that flashes brightly when the ISSInternational Space Station is passing over our school, and a 6-foot screen showing current information and live video from the Space Station. I will send pics when everything is installed.
Media Credit: The Rotarian
July 23, 2018
I have been so busy preparing for Back to School! This summer I have been working with 6 schools’ principals to pilot my Space Dreamers Organization! We will be bringing space science to over 8,000 students and 1,800 teachers!
So far, Bryce has installed ISS-Above units in classrooms and common spaces at six schools.
Media Credit: Nancy Hilliard
I am transforming these schools’ cafeterias and entranceways by installing ISS-Above kiosks so students can see live views from the Space Station every day. I am planning hydroponic gardens to study Tomatosphere plants and helping the school libraries order more space-related books, including Story Time From Space books. I am even helping my sister’s elementary school design a new STEM Lab!
I have been invited to meet with groups of teachers before school even starts, to help brainstorm and prepare. I am trying to reach every grade level and every subject. I am training the teachers on how to find the Space Station in the sky so they can share it with their classes. I am even introducing the gym teachers to NASA’s Train Like an Astronaut activities, and they are excited that they can teach space science too!
I cannot wait to get these schools started and then have time to do more! My motto is “Space science for every student every day!”
And… I am going to Space Camp in Huntsville the first week in August!!!!!
Media Credit: The Rotarian
August 16, 2018
In August 2018, Bryce Hilliard attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.
Media Credit: Nancy Hilliard
(Update from Bryce’s mother Nancy)
Things have been amazing this summer! Bryce just got back from Space Camp. He was so tired, but he has not stopped talking about his time there! He especially liked the simulated tanks, trying to screw down equipment with everything floating away, and simulated dark times!
He is also getting a batch of space tomatoes together to go advocate for Space STEM programs on Capitol Hill!
Media Credit: The Rotarian