FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Students at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville took time out Tuesday to remember the astronauts killed Saturday in the space shuttle Columbia tragedy.

Students in the Math and Science Academy spent Tuesday honoring the Columbia crew. A majority of these students were born the year the Challenger exploded. Many thought they would never experience a similar disaster.

"They were doing things little children dream of and doing things I'd like to do when I get older," student Monica Raines said.

NASA holds a special place at E.E. Smith High School. The space agency opened a Satellite Educator Resource Center at the school, which gives educators access to space materials for their classrooms.

Many students have since realized the sky is the limit. Gene Suarez said he wants to be an aeronautical engineer.

"I'd like to know where the problem started, so we don't have to repeat this event ever again. Seven lives is enough," he said.

As the Columbia investigation progresses, teachers expect they will receive materials from NASA. NASA officials send information to the school every other month.

The students are now expressing their sorrow by writing sympathy letters to the astronauts' families. The students are also now collecting money for the astronauts' families. The contributions will be sent to the Space Shuttle Children's Memorial Trust Fund.