NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Miami-Dade SEMAA students engaged in a hands-on zip-line activity at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Image Credit: NASA

NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy middle school students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Carol City Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School, had an opportunity to travel to and tour NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Jan. 14 and 18, 2011. A combined total of 111 students toured the space center and participated in several hands-on activities.

To understand the role of a NASA scientist, students observed the engineers and scientists at work. At several points throughout the tour, different individuals took time to speak with the students and answer relevant questions about their roles at the space center.

During the activity period, students had an opportunity to conduct a zip-line experiment and design a closed electrical circuit. The lesson required students to engineer a simple model component from the NASA Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing

Students at the Miami-Dade County Public Schools SEMAA site participate in a zip-line activity at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Image Credit: NASA

Satellite, or LCROSS, Spacecraft and construct a zip-line payload using everyday materials. The model demonstrated how LCROSS uses robotics to search for water on the moon.

The student responses at the conclusion of the activity period indicated they were able to make clear connections to robotics, computers and engineering concepts based on their hands-on experiences.

Students enjoyed taking a tour to the outskirts of Kennedy Space Center and viewing the Crawlerway, Crawler Transporter, Mobile Launch Platform and Launch Pad A-LC-39. Each student received an electronic tool kit from the center’s Visitors Complex to top off their phenomenal, memorable day at NASA.

SEMAA student participants from Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Carol City Middle School) pose for a group photo at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Image Credit: NASA