During Kathryn's year of service in 2008-2009, she served at Graveraet Intermediate School (GIS) in Marquette with fourth and fifth grade students.  Some of her standard service responsibilities included working with students on their homework, running alternative lunch activities, and tutoring at-risk youth.  But there was one particular responsibility Kathryn wanted to expand.

Each year the school has a unique program in which all fifth grade students are eligible to participate.  The program allows them to take part in mock space shuttle launches.  Graveraet has an old school bus that has been converted into a space shuttle and the students are assigned specific roles for a three-hour mock-mission for which they must train prior to their launch date.  Kathryn already knew the space initiative was a great opportunity for students, but she wanted to integrate a technology component.

"I immediately thought about virtual field trips," she says.  "NASA offers an education website that is full of opportunities for schools, including video conferences."

Kathryn set up a NASA video conference to serve as a kick-off event for the existing mock space shuttle launch.  Working with the Marquette Public Schools' and Northern Michigan University's technology staff, she was able to offer the video conference to nearly 225 GIS fifth graders.  The NASA educator (who had a connection to Marquette through his spouse) actively engaged all the students by incorporating lessons from math, science, history, and economics during the one-hour session.

Kathryn says all of the students loved the experience which then helped generate an interest in their respective shuttle launches and the training needed to make them successful.

The NASA video conference was just one of the ways Kathryn served the Graveraet Intermediate School youth as a Michigan's AmeriCorps member.  Through Kathryn's creativity and commitment she was able to provide these youth with a unique experience they are sure to never forget.  What if the next greatest U.S. astronaut is a GIS alum?

"One of the best parts about serving as an AmeriCorps member has been making a difference in the lives of children every single day," Kathryn says.  "Every student I talked to, every student I interacted with throughout the day…I know I somehow made that student feel special, even if just for a minute."

Kathryn looks forward to serving with MARESA AmeriCorps for another year of service in 2009-2010, although it won't be at Graveraet Intermediate School.