MicroGravity University for Educators

Experiment Name: “Gravity Check”

Team Name: “i-Nerds of Martian Gravity”

Mission Patch:         

Students in one 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade classes worked in groups to submit a proposal to NASA’s Microgravity University for Educators with the assistance of Dr. Taylor.  Their proposal for a Satellite Launching Experimental Device (SLED) that will automatically deploy a mock satellite into a targeted zone mimicking a Mars orbital insertion was created from the materials list provided by NASA.  The list includes items such as Duct Tape, Rubber Bands (different sizes and strengths), String, Tongue Depressors/Craft Sticks, Springs (different sizes and strengths), Bungie Cords (different sizes and strengths), 1 & 2 inch strips of Aluminum Tubing 1-2 feet long, 5 feet of Rubber Tubing, Paper Clips, Straws, Masking Tape, Clothes Hanger, Paper Towel Rolls, and Balloons. Students also design a mission patch and created the team name i-Nerds of Martian Gravity.  There are approximately 110 students working on this project and five teachers.  The team will be working directly with NASA to refine and improve their SLED design before the team of teachers takes the design to NASA’s Johnson Space Center to test their design in simulated microgravity.

All the students will have jobs to complete for the SLED to be ready for testing in April.  Your student may be assisting with the build, conducting scientific research for mechanics and aerospace, quality assurance on the build, launch team, trip planning to Houston, data collection and analysis, final report, public relations (website), simulator development and build, documentation, time management, and materials management.  Just like other NASA projects, it will take the entire team to have our SLED ready for testing at NASA Johnson Space Center.  During the teachers’ time at Johnson Space Center, the team of teachers will be communicating live with the students to share the experience and the results of the test. 

https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/theProgram/micro-g-ue/index.cfm

First LEGO League - Year 3

Yesterday I finished up my third First LEGO League season.  My goal with the school's First LEGO League (FLL) team has always been to provide students with the opportunities the competition provides.  The competition is made up of different components.  It can be summed up as two components, a project and the robot missions.  The FLL Core Values are used to guide the team and help them complete the competition while having fun.  The teams have to present in three different sessions at the competition tournament, project, robot design, and core values.  The experience with presenting is a valuable one for the students.  The project is also valuable for skills it teaches.

The team this year was all first time participants a team of fourth grade students.  The amount of work to be done is difficult to accomplish from late August to early December.  Many teams meet multiple times per week including weekends.  As a school team, it is difficult to require that significant of a time commitment.  However, my goal is to share the opportunity with as many students as possible and not to just strive to win.  I want students to develop existing strengths and discover new ones as well.  This goal does not require students to give up all their free time or choose FLL over other activities.

Each year my experience with the team has been different, much as classroom dynamics change with each new group of students.  I have enjoyed all three years but each year consider not doing it again.  At the same time, perhaps oddly enough, I recommend it for both students and coaches.  Again, I think the experience for both is invaluable.  I have tried each year to improve a different aspect of the school's FLL team to make it work better for students and myself.  I always ask coaches that I meet how they organized their team.  How often did they meet?  How did they design their robot?  How did they distribute the work?  What I have finally come to realize is that it does not matter how other teams are organized.  I have to find what works to help my team achieve our goals.  Our goals may not be the same as other teams.  As I watched many of the team members literally bouncing with excitement before our last round, I realized I had achieved my goals.  The team members and discovered new strengths and developed existing ones.  They had found an interest in something they did not know anything about.  There was talk of plans for next year's tournament that may or may not come to fruition, but they were there.  The team of eight had experienced a brand new opportunity and whether or not they participate again, they have grown from it.

I have grown from my experiences over the last three years as well.  I have grown in many professional ways and enjoyed the excitement and youthful enthusiasm of my teams.  It is a tough challenge to take on, coaching an FLL team, but well worth the time and effort.

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/