First #NASAMgUE Meeting

Our team had our first meeting with #NASAMgUE last night.  Four of us were able to participate together, and the fifth was able to participate from home.  The good news is we all made it.  The not as good news is I felt a bit stressed by the end of the meeting.  At this moment, it feels as though there is quite a bit to do to be ready to go to NASA in April.  However, I was amazed by how my team members are embracing the challenge.  While I believe we all felt a bit of trepidation at the uphill climb ahead of us, no one shied away from the challenge.  We went immediately into conquer mode and began discussing meeting times for the team.  I feel privileged to be working with this team of educators who want to put their best foot forward and represent our school in the best positive light.  Our next steps are to contact our team mentor, review the TSR Guidelines, and begin preparing our outreach presentation.  In addition to the #NASAMgUE assignments, we also are planning how to work through the project with our students.  I am feeling the pressure only because I seem to have several other projects outside of NASA going on at the same time.  There were a couple of grants I wanted to write, and I am working part time writing STEM curriculum.  I am just so thankful my team is on board and ready to jump in.  Our combined enthusiasm will make the load lighter.  It will also make the project that much more exciting.  Even with all the other pressures I am feeling at this moment, I would advise anyone who has this opportunity to submit a proposal.  It may push you into that space outside your comfort zone, but that's just part of what makes it worthwhile.  We ask our students to do this every day.  Take the challenge if the opportunity presents itself!

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