MELBOURNE  |  Ascension Catholic School students embarked on a journey beyond the classroom and into the cosmos during the school’s second annual Space Day, March 13.

This year’s theme, Wonder and Awe, sought to spark curiosity, deepen scientific understanding, and reinforce that faith and science are not conflicting ideas but rather merge and blend and can be complementary.

Claudia Stokes, principal of Ascension Catholic, described the event as a reflection of the school’s distinct environment on the Space Coast, where students are surrounded by the ever-expanding world of aerospace and technology.

“As a Catholic school, we want our children to understand that faith and science are not in opposition. Rather, they blend seamlessly. This year’s theme invites our students to be curious, to ask questions, and in doing so, to grow in both knowledge and faith,” she said.

From the youngest learners to middle schoolers preparing for high school, students were immersed in a variety of hands-on activities that bridged scientific exploration with a sense of divine wonder. Rocket launches gave them firsthand experience with propulsion, while model-building exercises engaged their engineering skills. Through these activities, students weren’t just learning about physics, they were discovering the divine design of creation itself.

A key highlight of the day was a panel discussion featuring professionals from NASA, Patrick Space Force, Blue Origin and Florida Tech, among others. These experts, many of whom openly integrate their faith into their work, shared personal insights on how scientific discovery can strengthen one’s belief in God’s grand design.

During his presentation, Paul Kuracz, of NASA, explained the protocols, including weather, trajectory, and even astronaut health, that must align before a launch is even attempted. Students had the opportunity to check the data for two launches, and once one was cleared, they counted down and watched a rocket launch into space.   

Kuracz said his faith in God helps him during the stressful times of his job.

“Everything in creation ultimately leads us back to God,” said Lillie Switanek, the school’s counselor, who spearheaded the daylong event. “We wanted our students to hear this message, not just from us, their teachers, but from those actively working in the field.”

Highlighting the strong connection between the school and the broader scientific community, Switanek emphasized that months of planning, along with generous support from the school, parish, and local organizations, made Space Day possible. Volunteers from the Aldrin Family Foundation, University of Florida’s 4-H program, and the World Innovation Network played a key role in guiding students through hands-on activities, giving them a firsthand look at the opportunities available in STEM fields.

Switanek also expressed gratitude to the faculty, staff, and volunteers at Ascension Catholic School and Parish, calling the event a true community effort. She highlighted the school’s “buddy” system, where older students partnered with younger ones to participate in activities together, as a meaningful aspect of the day, fostering both mentorship and shared learning.

Beyond the excitement and hands-on experiences, Space Day left students with something far greater: a sense of wonder about the world God has created and the role they may one day play in exploring it.

“Throughout the day, I was amazed to see how people from all backgrounds uniquely contribute to space exploration around the world. It reminded me that just as God blesses each of us with different talents, He calls us to use them to discover and appreciate the wonders of His creation,” said eighth-grader Sophia.

As for the younger students, they were more impressed with the popsicles that were “frozen in a pot of nitrogen.” VPK student Layla liked “crawling through the tunnels and grabbing balloons” during the Space relay, while Ian remarked that his favorite part of the day was the Stomp Rockets, where his “went super high.”

In the end, Stokes reminded students that “among all of God’s creations, you are the most extraordinary. I hope they leave today not just with fun memories, but with knowledge they can carry into the future, and an understanding that faith can illuminate their path, no matter where their dreams take them. 

By Linda Caldwell, Special to the Florida Catholic, March 20, 2025