Educators Apply Aero, Space Concepts to Curriculum at NASA Workshop
July 2, 2004
Release: 04-31
Educators who are friends and family of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center employees learned how to apply aeronautics and space science concepts to their curriculums during a recent two-day workshop at the NASA aeronautics research facility in Southern California. Sponsored by Dryden’s Office of Academic Investments, the workshop June 28 and 29 was targeted toward elementary and secondary-level teachers.
“For several years, Dryden employees have supported educator events,” explained Michelle Davis, Dryden’s pre-college officer. “The Office of Academic Investments wanted to offer a specially-designed workshop targeting the extended NASA family.
“This group of friends and family members are already familiar with the center’s mission,” she added. “As a result of this workshop, these educators have the resources to bring Dryden’s missions into their classrooms.”
The educators toured the center, located on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., viewing first hand some of the historical airplanes on display. Current projects and aircraft, such as the modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, were shown by Dryden personnel.
Marilyn Ayers, a fifth-grade teacher at Bethel Christian School in Lancaster, remarked on the enthusiasm of X-43A deputy project manager Paul Reukauf for that vehicle. Reukauf explained the complicated technology of the aircraft, expected to fly at Mach 10 or 10 times the speed of sound, in laymen’s terms.
NASA education programs were of interest to the group. Kathy Hylton, a recently-hired English teacher at Tehachapi High School, plans to incorporate the application for NASA’s Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program into her curriculum as a writing exercise.
Chad Cieslik, who teaches sixth grade at Barrel Springs Elementary, Palmdale, said he was pleased to have the hands-on activities to share with his students, as well as the posters and other classroom materials.
Sherry Jay, a fifth-grade teacher from the Diamond Bar area, enjoyed her first visit to Dryden. She envisioned using the aeronautics information in mathematics lessons. Jay said she was “glad to have the rest of the summer off to read all the materials.”
Also attending the workshop were teachers and students from Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, Ariz. The college is home to a NASA Center for Success in Math and Science. This center fosters student success in mathematics and science as well as providing resources for kindergarten through 12th-grade educators.
David Seidel, pre-college officer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., updated the educators on the Mars mission and offered classroom exercises designed to make solar system science of interest to students of all ages.
“The Dryden workshop will enhance and extend week-long academies designed for middle school students, one of which focuses on Mars, hosted by Estrella Mountain,” said Kristina Allen, kindergarten through 12th-grade outreach specialist at the college. “Seidel’s presentation and overview of Mars provided new information and educational activities to excite students. The Mars Bound: Mission to the Red Planet activity will offer academy students a near-authentic experience.”
-NASA-