Celestial Phoenix
rises to the Challenge!
December 7, 2011
Challenge Charter School’s
Celestial Phoenix Team rises to the challenge!
The CCS 6th grade Aerospace Team selected the name
Celestial Phoenix
which turned out to be a perfect fit as they rose to the
challenge during the December 7th, 2011 Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge
Semi-Finals placing first in that day’s competition.
http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/
(scroll down page for story)
Celestial Phoenix
includes: Richard (Laurie) Cox, Emmerson Dillard, Patrick Kontz,
Cavan Lopez, and Colten Warnock, with Ms. Meghan Sheehan as
their Coach. Mr. Miller also provided support during the design
of their lunar habitat and the team had tremendous support from
their parents whose volunteer time was greatly appreciated!
Celestial Phoenix had big shoes to fill! They are only the second team to ever
compete from Challenge Charter School. Challenge’s first team,
NASA’s Newest, won the competition. As the 2009 Champions, they
took a VIP trip to NASA in Houston and were featured on the
field during the 39th Annual Fiesta Bowl. Two of the
previous winning team members: Joleen Shiroma and Jake Garza
came to this year‘s Semi-Finals to cheer on
Celestial Phoenix and show their support. Good to see you!
http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/fiesta_bowl_2010.htm
(scroll down page for story)
NASA’s Newest team slogan:
“Last time the Eagle was just a guest, now it’s back to
build its nest.” ...blazed
the path for the truly sensational Celestial Phoenix
whose slogan says it all: “The Phoenix is rising to the
challenge!” They have
their own unique and remarkable team spirit and admirable
dedication and persistence.
They made us all very proud with their citizenship and how much
respect they showed for the competition. The Fiesta Bowl
chairperson and the maintenance staff at ASU West (where the
competition was held), both complimented them on their behavior
and the way they composed themselves during the event.
They were judged for seven hours, being asked very challenging
questions by eight different groups of Honeywell engineers.
Despite the demanding schedule, the team was tireless in their
energy and never allowed their nerves to show. Instead, they
glowed with enthusiasm ready to share all their hard work and
team collaboration with the judges.
The Honeywell Aerospace mission is to develop and build a
physical scale model for an International Lunar Base. Teams must
consider all of the details and then defend their choices for
their location on the moon, how they will transport the base and
get around in space, and how they will sustain life on the moon.
Celestial Phoenix carefully deliberated each detail resulting in a multicultural
base with everything needed to keep the astronauts safe and
entertained while in space. They put in lots of extra time after
school and on the weekends, unwilling to quit until they had
considered all options and were confident that they had made the
right choices for sustaining life on the moon, such as
production of their own food and a complete recycling program.
The competition included approximately 250 teams comprised of
over 900 5
th – 8
th grade students during
the three days of Semi-Finals.
Celestial Phoenix, was
one of only 6 teams statewide that moved on to compete in
the finals December 29
th at the Challenger Space
Center. As finalists, they enjoyed an exclusive
opportunity to spend time with NASA astronauts.
To prepare for the finals, Celestial Phoenix worked many
hours during their break preparing a ten minute oral
presentation, which was followed by a tough Q & A by Honeywell
Aerospace Engineers.
They were
phenomenal and made their families and school so proud of
the way they represented CCS and showed off all they had learned
and their innovative lunar design which was truly "out-of-this
world."
Congratulations and thank you to an incredible Team and to their
families for all of their help and support! Thank you Coach
Sheehan for empowering them to take it to the next level! GO
EAGLES!!
For more information on this prestigious academic competition visit:
http://www.fiestabowl.org/events/aerospace-challenge.php
A
special THANK YOU to the sponsors of this event: Honeywell,
Microsoft Mission Control, Challenger Space center, Sapphire
Catering, ASU West
“We are so excited for our kids! Their hard work has made us so
proud! – Mr. & Mrs. Miller, CCS Founders
“I am so honored to have the opportunity to coach a group of
such motivated individuals who think critically and outside the
box!” – Ms. Meghan Sheehan, Aerospace Coach & 6
th
grade CCS Teacher
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