posted 07-25-2011 10:27 AM               

We are anticipating a format that would form a group of about 20 students that would meet for various hands-on activities twice a month. Additionally, we would like to have two or three "field trips" or special activities. At the end of the school year, we would provide awards and a "graduation" party.

We have some great assets nearby including NASA Glenn and Plumb Brook. We are working on developing our relationships with these folks and think we could really do some neat stuff together.

We also have a good relationship with some local high power rocketry folks, and Oberlin College. USAFM is a few hours away as well as DC.

So here's the question: If you were a typical high school over-achieving geek, what would you like this program to look like? What should be in the syllabus?

As many that know me can verify, I have the maturity level of a high school freshman! I would like to blow stuff up, get airborne, build a Tesla Coil, and visit Area 51.

I'm open to ideas. Help me make this program attractive!

posted 07-25-2011 11:16 AM               

Naturally you would need some space history classes, possibly some basic physics to show how we launch stuff (if they can handle it) and try to get some astronauts in, naturally. Get a shuttle tile or two and then demonstrate how it works with a blowtorch.

Contact these guys to see if you can set up a chat with the ISS crew (I got my name on the list because I tried to get my astronomy class to talk to the 135 crew, but it was sent it too late. They put me on the list of people the contact when there is an opening.) You won't be able to get one for 2011 because they are already booked. The nest open slots they have are for March-September of 2012.

They also sent me a planning guide I can email to you. Here is NASA's educator page, which should help you out.

posted 07-31-2011 12:54 PM              

A simple double convex system, if memory serves.

I do like the telescope idea. I taught high school science for a decade. Many students, and adults, have never seen the Moon through a telescope, and they are almost always blown away. Ditto disc of Jupiter and Galilean satellites, and rings of Saturn.

The group Dobsonian is a great idea. If you need a simple scope to show the moon and some basic planetary features, and star clusters, the Edmund Astroscan, for me, is the best scope for the money.

posted 07-31-2011 12:57 PM              

I've been denied permission to fly a rocket as a demo and 3 of 3 NJ high schools I taught at.

They can learn so much from model rocketry; they are now building them to loft light Flip style HD video cameras to record to flight onboard.

posted 07-31-2011 09:00 PM               

However, I would have an inflatable Earth, a portable ham radio, among other hands on toys that I could demonstrate ideas with.

Here's a great idea that my school refused to impliment: Direct TV has free, YES FREE, equipment and programming for schools that ask for it. Would it be nice to have the NASA channel FREE to utilize? I was told one time I didn't follow the correct "Chain of Command" and another time that "we might have to move the dish."

What part of free and educational don't administrators understand (unless it is their idea)? I was also going to utilize it also for foreign language enrichment.