Space Travel Education Finds Crew Member at GCS

Limitless Space Institute (LSI) is a non-profit organization that aims to inspire and educate the next generation to travel beyond our solar system and support the research and development of enabling technologies. The Limitless Educator program empowers teachers with unique professional development opportunities to allow them to learn more about the study of space travel within and beyond our solar system.

LSI accepted applicants from across the country and worldwide to be a part of this unique mission to Dare Mighty Things. “We were in awe of the educators that applied from around the world who had integrity, an out-of-this-world imagination, and the courage to try new things in the classroom,” says Kaci Heins, LSI education director.

From the numerous applicants, just a small group was chosen as part of the inaugural crew. Among the 20 educators selected worldwide is Krystal Rolon, an Upper School science teacher.

“When I interviewed Krystal, I knew we had to have her be a part of this program. She brings many strengths to the group, so we are excited to work with her,” Heins explains.

The next phase for Rolon is to immerse in unique learning opportunities to break down scientific phenomena into engaging activities to make them real-world and relevant. Professional development opportunities for Rolon include awards for attending the Space Exploration Educator Conference and the Limitless Educator Summer Institute next year.

The Limitless Educator Summer Institute aims to implement educators’ skill sets to create new and innovative lessons. These lesson plans will break down deep exploration topics that many teachers have never seen before, but they are fun and engaging, tie in STEM careers, and incorporate high levels of problem-solving.

Rolon, who recently led efforts to restore the operability of the school’s Gould Observatory, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2019, earning one of the University’s first astronomy minors. “Physics was my major,” Rolon says. “But astronomy was my passion.” And her passion is to the benefit of Glenelg Country School students. As Heins explains, “we also want to provide time for the teachers to work as a team to develop new STEM lessons tied to space exploration.”