Launching a Dream. a Teachers Guide to a Simulated Space Shuttle Mission. INSTITUTION National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, Ohio
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 312 133 SE 050 902 TITLE Launching a Dream. A Teachers Guide to a Simulated Space Shuttle Mission. INSTITUTION National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, Ohio. Lewis Research Cent%.r. PUB DATE Jur 88 NOTE 109p.; Photographs may not reproduce well. PUB TYPE Guides - Classroom Use - Guides (For Teachers) (052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Aerospace Education; *Elementary School Science; Elementary Secondary Education; Satellites (Aerospace); *Science Activities; *Science Careers; Science Education; Science Experiments; *Science Projects; Scientific Enterprise; Secondary School Science; *Simulation IDENTIFIERS National Aeronautics and Space Administration ABSTRACT This publication is about imagination, teamwork, creati"ity, and a host of other ingredients required to carry out a dream. It is about going into space--going into space as part of a simulated space shuttle mission. The publication highlights two simulated shuttle missions cosponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center and Cleveland, Ohio, area schools: the first in 1985 and the more recent in 1987. Sections include: (1) "Getting Started" (surnarizing the organization of the mission project); (2) "Preflight Pre....ration" (describing the shuttle preparation, devising of the flight plan, selecting and training of the astronauts, payload experiments, building preparation, handling puolic relations, and 'Living in Space'); (3) "Flight Day" (conducting the preflight inspection, writing a launch schedule, space center activities, and scheduling rendezvous and stops); (4) "Postflight Activities" (debriefing; press conference, and school and community activities; a recognition program; and leFters of commendation); and (5) "Further Suggestions" (from the faculty and staff). The purpose, materials needed, and procedures are provided for each of the 13 payload experiments covering geo2.:gy, biology, and physics. Lists of participating schools, materials used, related publicity, and NASA and Regional Teacher Resource Centers are appended. (YP) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. NASA LAUNCHING r4cq A DREAM U S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Once of Educabonat Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) tbsdoCumenthas been reproduCed an c eiv ed born the person or organaabon onspnabng d Mthor changes navebeen madeto =prove reproducbooQuality Pants of v,ewp oamooS Stated .r th,s,hocu- -nerd do nct necessanty represent ova& OEM coSthon or pokcy cr rrr MLI A Teachers Guide toa Simulated Space Shuttle Mission v C, BEST COPY AVAILABLE LAUNCHING A DREAM A Teachers Guide to a Simulated Space Shuttle Mission NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio 44135 t) Fonwollt This publication is about imagination, teamwork, creativity, and a host of other ingredients required to carry out a dream, a dream that will permit young people to touch and "live" the future for a moment in their young lives. It is about going into spacegoing into space as part of a simulated space shuttle mission. The publication highlights two simulated shuttle missions cosponsored by the NASA Lewis Research Center and Cleveland, Ohio, area schools: the first in 1985 and the more recent in 1987. The story is an exciting one. A simulated space shuttle mission is an opportunity for students of all ages to plan, train for, and conduct a shuttle mission. Some students are selected to be astronauts, flight planners, and flight controllers. Other students build and. test the experiments that the "astronauts" will conduct. Some set up mission control, while others design the mission patch. Students also serve as security officers or carry out public relations activities. For the simulated shuttle mission school buses or recreation vehicles are converted to represent shuttle orbiters. All aspects of a shuttle mission are included. During preflight activities the shuttle is prepared, and experiments and a flight plan are made ready for launch day. The flight itself includes lifting off, conducting experiments "on orbit," and rendezvousing with the crew from the sister school. After landing back at the home school the student astronauts are debriefed and hold press conferences. The astronauts celebrate their successful missions with their fellow students at school and with the community at an evening postflight recognition program. To date, approximately 6,000 students have been involved in simulated shuttle missions with the Lewis Research Center. A list of the participating schools, along with the names of their space shuttles, is included in appendix A. Educational outcomes for the students are many. The students are able to learn about the space shuttle itself, as well as become aware of the many tasks and activities associated with a shuttle flight. Throughout their involvement in the projects students learn about the extensive variety of career choices involved in the space program. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a "team" effort, culminating in an event that they will remember all their lives. The effect of the simulated shuttle mission on students is extraordinary! Unmotivated and underachieving students begin doing library research. Attendance improves. Students express their appreciation for the opportunity to work with students in other classrooms. Students demonstrate school pride. Looking skyward to a dream. iii 4 The communities get equally as excited about the project, as demonstrated by their activesupport throughout all stages. Community members provide time and technical expertise and donate equipment, materials, and money. The flights are covered on television and in thepress. This publication is intended to assist educators who might desire to have their studentsbecome involved in simulated space shuttle missions. Included in the publicationare the various aspects to consider when planning for a mission. The information included was provided by themany people involved in the projects. The publication is organized chronologically by mission activity. Teacherscan refer to the different components of the flight to find necessary information and suggestions for completing the project. Reference checklists are provided in each section to assist educators in planning theirown missions. This project, like so many others before it, began with a dreama dream of going into spacebut this time carried out on the ground. This dream was first shared with the superintendents oftwo of our Partnership in Education schoolsJack Thomasf the North Royalton City Schools and Terrance Furin of the Midview Local Schools. Both school districts are locatednear the Lewis Research Center and had sponsored teachers to attend a two-week Lewis Aerospace Education Workshop duringthe summer of 1984. Both superintendents were enthusiastic about the possible project. They each selecteda school from their districts to participate in this "first-ever" project. A meeting was held with the principals from each of the elementary schools, Belden and Royal View, to elicit their support. Their enthusiastic endorsement was soon followed by early morning meetings with selected teachersfrom each school to gain their support as well. Once this was achieved, Lewis provided assistance inthe planning and training necessary to carry out the project. The teachers, students, and community volunteers of the Belden Elementary School in Grafton, Ohio, and the Royal View Elementary School in North Royalton, Ohio,were the pioneers in simulated shuttle missions. Theirs was the first: on May 30, 1985, they made history and paved the way for others to participate in similar missions. The project in 1987 was much more extensive. The 1987 simulated shuttle missions involved nine elementary schools from the Berea, Cleveland, Lorain City, No:th Olmsted, and Strongsville school districts. In addition, selected students from two high schools in the Diocese of Clevelandparticipated. After several preparatory meetings with me, administrators and staffs of the schools involved agreed to "On for launch!" In November of 1986 selected staff members from the participating schools attended a one-day raining program at Lewis to begin the 1987 project. I appreciate the dedication and commitment of the teachers who carriedout the projects. Congratulations also for a job well done to all of the students who enthusiastically participatedand completed their simulated shuttle missions. A special thanks to the administrations,boards of education, parents, and community volunteers who supported the project. Iam especially grateful to the members of the Educational Services Office and other members of the Lewisteam who became so actively involved in the project and to Joe Nervi and Jane Warner, who organized and coordinated this publication. Robert Goddard, the father of the liquid fuel rocket, said: The dreams of yesterday become the hopes of today and the realities of tomorrow. Indeed, a simulated shuttle mission is a great way to launcha dream. It is a way to demonstrate to students that there is hope for tomorrow and that they will be theones to sail the oceans of space, for the future belongs to them. I hope you will share the results of your simulated shuttle missionsas well. Please send your comments or questions to me: R. Lynn Bondurant, Jr. Chi -f, Educational Services Office Project Director, Simulated Shuttle Missions NASA Lewis Research