Teachers Linked To Space Nasa Sets Up Talk With In-Orbit Astronauts
Posted on: Friday, 18 July 2003, 06:00 CDT
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Antelope Valley math and science teachers from Cole and Edwards middle schools conversed Tuesday with the two astronauts who are aboard the International Space Station.
The Earth-to-space linkup was part of a weeklong training workshop for teachers from schools chosen for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Explorer School program.
"It's been great," said Dorothy Smith, who teaches eighth-grade science at Cole. "We've learned many wonderful things to take back to school. I know the students will be very excited about the things we will bring back for them to do."
About 25 educators from the two Antelope Valley schools and from selected schools in San Diego and Arizona participated in the special conference call from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on the base.
Ensconced in a theater with a large-screen TV, the teachers spoke for about 30 minutes through a televised hookup with Russian cosmonaut and commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA science officer Edward Lu.
"We could see them, but they could not see us," said Jay Blank, a seventh-grade science teacher at Edwards Middle School.
Blank asked Lu whether his body had experienced any reaction to microgravity. "With all his training and experience, there wasn't anything unexpected," Blank said.
In response to a question from Smith, Lu said he would advise a student who wants to become an astronaut to select classes carefully and do well in school.
The astronauts were wearing jumpsuits with Velcro patches on them, which helps them secure tools, the teachers said.
The astronauts stayed in place by keeping their feet under straps. At one point, Lu released his feet, did some aerobatics and hung upside down for a little while, the teachers said.
"This is an experience of a lifetime," Blank said about the session.
NASA scientist Miriam Rodon-Naveira said the workshop's goal was to help math and science teachers inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers of space.
"What better way than to have our teachers who are currently going through the workshop with us ... be able to ask questions of our astronauts in the International Space Station?" Rodon-Naveira remarked.
Cole and Edwards middle schools were among eight selected in California and 50 nationwide to participate in the NASA Explorer School program.
In a three-year partnership with NASA, each selected school will be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 in the first year to help implement education plans.
The schools could each receive up to $5,000 in the second year and $2,500 in the third year if money is available, officials said.
As part of the program, students will get to work on NASA- related design problems, conduct scientific discussions, and collect and use authentic NASA data.
Karen Maeshiro, (661) 267-5744
karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com
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