D15 donates space shuttle bus to Boy Scouts
NASA retired its space shuttle program in 2011. Now, District 15 has conducted its last mission aboard its "space shuttle bus" that traveled the streets of Palatine and Rolling Meadows for the past 18 years.
The district donated the vehicle - whose body is a 1987 school bus - to the Blackhawk Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Transportation personnel actually delivered it to its new home - Camp Lowden in Oregon, Illinois, - over Thanksgiving recess.
There, the Boy Scouts plan to adapt it to their own curriculum that will incorporate Scouting merit badges and STEM programs. In fact, Camp Lowden has a 21-foot dome that will be used as a planetarium and will serve as the shuttle's new mission control center when it is ready to begin welcoming Boy Scouts aboard later this spring.
"There's a lot of people in the district who are very sad to see it go," said Tom Bramley, District 15's Transportation director. "But the idea that we're giving it to an association that enhances children's learning is gratifying."
District 15 donated the bus to the Boy Scouts after it bid farewell to the David Hill Mission Control Center and Space Shuttle program at the close of the 2014-15 school year.
"As the world continues to change, our curriculum changes as well," said Meg Schnoor, District 15's assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.
"New activities aligned to current technological trends will fill the void left by the closure of this program. STEM activities - including robotics, medical detectives, and 3-D printing - will continue to be incorporated into our students' school day, affording them engaging, practical learning opportunities."
Located on the campus of Kimball Hill School, the David Hill Mission Control Center and Space Shuttle program provided "in-district" field trip opportunities for countless District 15 students, piquing their interests in science, technology, and math.
Launched with a grant from the District 15 Educational Foundation and assistance from Northrop Grumman Corporation, the David Hill Mission Control Center and Space Shuttle program engaged students from across the district in simulated space shuttle missions since 1997.
The late David Hill was the son of the late Kimball Hill, the namesake of Kimball Hill School. The two were prominent developers in Rolling Meadows who envisioned creating a community of affordable housing for young families.
"Everyone involved with District 15 shares fond memories of their experiences with this program, and the district holds those who made it possible in great esteem," said Scott Thompson, superintendent of schools.
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