Shebbear College Sixth Former Jack Hancock had the experience of a lifetime over the recent autumn half term when he travelled to Huntsville, Alabama in the USA to take part in The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the US Space and Rocket Center.

Jack, who is one of the Heads of School at Shebbear, was selected for the programme following a rigorous application and review process based on academic achievement and community involvement.

He made it through and was one of just five successful applicants from the UK, joining 170 students from across the world to finish the academy as a Space Camp graduate.

The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is aimed at encouraging students to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers through real-world, hands-on activities in computer science, engineering, astronautics, and coding.

The students learnt from some of the greatest aviation, engineering and scientific experts and innovations, developing STEM leadership skills through team-building challenges such as building, coding and testing rockets; simulated astronaut training; shuttle missions; and a low-gravity moonwalk.

Reflecting on the trip, Jack said: “I feel incredibly privileged to have experienced Space Camp. It was pretty overwhelming and inspiring to be amongst the world’s top aviation and rocket experts including astronaut Robert Lee Gibson and it has inspired me to try and follow in their footsteps. I met students from across the world that have now become lifelong friends and the awesome memories made will last me a lifetime!”