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Independence Middle School teacher inspires students through space camp experience

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A Palm Beach County teacher’s dream of attending space camp recently came true. Susan Russo was one of only 200 people hand selected to attend Honeywell's Educators at Space Academy.

“It was one of those things my parents could never really afford and so it was a great pleasure to call my mom and tell her, 'guess what, remember that space camp you couldn’t send me to?' I’m getting there all by myself,” said Russo. 

Russo had to fill out an extensive application, which included writing essays as to why she should be selected.

“I have loved the space program ever since I was a 12-year-old little girl,” said Russo.

So you can only imagine the excitement to be chosen out of more than 2000 applicants to travel from Jupiter, Florida to Huntsville, Alabama for the 5-day program.

"The students that I’m teaching right now, these are the kids that are going to Mars. These are the kids that are going to see people go to Mars, see their peers go to Mars and that’s extremely exciting, and to inspire some of them that they might go there is very, very, exciting,” said Russo. 

The program has attendees participate in STEM activities with lessons they can then bring back to their classrooms.