Fashion design students sew for astronauts in the NASA program

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 02:55 PM

By Lisa Bielmeier

Orleans/Niagara BOCES Director of Public Relations

Fashion Design/Interior Design students at Niagara Career and Technical Education Center have taken on a new project – making American toiletries for NASA!

Teacher Debbie Wilczak has partnered with NASA’s HUNCH Stitched Articles program, known as Softgoods, a project-based learning program where high school students learn 21st century skills and inspires and motivates students. Designing and manufacturing products of real-world value to NASA.

Her department is using textiles and other soft materials to make goods requested by various NASA centers as well as astronauts on the International Space Station. Softgoods offers a variety of design opportunities using a variety of materials to ensure employees are not only safe, but also clean and comfortable during their stay.

“My students were cutting fabrics and sewing the kits together following NASA quality standards,” Wilczak said. “This is an exciting opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and learn that the sewn product will be used by real astronauts.”

NASA HUNCH consultant Gene Gordon has been working with the students.

According to the HUNCH website, “We teach students about quality assurance best practices so they can ensure quality in everything they create. In addition, they show proper safety documentation in the process, which makes them more responsible for the result insurance from the beginning to the end. We want to ensure that all HUNCH products are high quality product complements so that student work has a chance to reach the International Space Station.

What a great experience for fashion design/interior decorating students for a college application or resume!