Register now to join us, seats are limited!  Register by Nov 28th for a $50 discount using the code thanks4life

Over the course of 16 weeks, we will learn about the following topics:

• Characteristics of living organisms and the operational definition of life
• Designing and building biospheres
• Testing tropisms (the growth movement a living organism has towards an external stimulus)
• Spaceflight physiology including: oxygen needs, heart rates, importance of exercise, the vestibular system, orthostatic hypotension, carbon dioxide effects
• Spacesuits and how they protect humans in Space
• Radiation on Earth and Space and how it affects DNA
• Space food chemistry
• And more!

Hands-on learning activities will include:

• How to take soil samples and test for life
• Building a lunar biosphere in a team environment with each participant rotating scientific roles
• Testing the effects of gravity on growth of plants
• Simulate the effects of space on the human body through multiple experiments
• Build parts of spacesuits to understand how they operate
• Build DNA molecules
• And more!

We will explore the following careers:

• Soil and Plant Scientists, Robotic engineers, Anthropologists, Geographers, Astronomers, Astronauts, Botanists, Agricultural Engineers, Zoologists, Medical Scientists, Exercise Physiologists, Audiologists, Respiratory Therapists, Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists, Biomedical Engineers, Fashion Designers, etc.!

Beyond learning the science, we will develop these skills as a group:

• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Communication
• Data collection, analysis and interpretation
• Technological design
• Science and technology in society
• Algebraic thinking: analyzing patterns and relationships, probability, graphing, etc.!
• And more!

Dates:  Thursdays, 10:00-12:00, January 12^th – May 18^th, we will take off these dates: 2/16, 3/16, 4/6

Homework will be assigned through the course and graded together as a group.

So what did we see, and why is this a big deal?

During the test we witnessed the 5-segment qualification motor-2, QM-2, testing the burn of a chilled propellant, a new nozzle, and improved insulation.  Before we get into the details of this QM-2, let’s take a look at “Boosters 101” by NASA:

Now that you know a bit more about SLS boosters, here are some cool facts about QM-2:

This is a big deal test because it is bringing us closer to deep space exploration.  What does that mean?!? Deep space exploration means launching astronauts beyond Earth’s gravitational pull, first to asteroids then to other planets like Mars.  The SLS will also bring about the opportunities to launch missions with payloads to planets further out in our solar system like Saturn and Jupiter.  This is an exciting time in next generation space exploration!

Not only are we having to develop bigger and stronger boosters, but all the things that are necessary to maintain life while our astronauts are in space for lengthy periods of time.  Many new technologies are currently being developed to support this mission, and new research is being performed to understand the impact of a microgravity environment on our bodies.  Some exploration around NASA’s pages will show you more about this program, and all the people, careers, inventions and more that are going to get us to Mars!

What makes this year’s  so special?  It is also a Strawberry Moon, or the first full moon of June.  These two events occurring on the same day is a rare occasion, the last time it happened was in 1967 and it will not occur again until 2062!

Make sure you get out and see the moon on this special night.  You can check your local time for the start of the Summer Solstice where you live, and if you are in the Southern Hemisphere you can check the time you will start your Winter Solstice.  If it is cloudy in your area many across the web are live broadcasting the event, simply search for one.  If you missed it there are bound to be replays on YouTube!

Learn more about the Summer Solstice and why this longer day occurs on both TimeandDate.com and Wikipedia.

Solstice means “sun stand still”.  Recall that there was a request in the Old Testament for the sun to stand still, and God honored that request.  Could that have happened?  Read more about the miracle of when this prayer by Joshua was answered to defeat his enemy.  For a most fascinating and encouraging read on how we too should pray for and expect our Father to answer our prayers in the same way, read Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible by Steven Furtick.  It will inspire you to reach beyond your current prayers and into the realm of faith for big things!

As a member you also receive their great publication that showcases the service the Civil Air Patrol provides.  For example, in a few issues in 2016, the articles included coverage of their search and rescue operations during the SC flood, help in testing the response of airspace breech over the super bowl stadium, etc.

We hold CAP courses local to the Atlanta, GA area through various homeschool programs.  Look for more information on where we are offering classes in our Join Us and Do area!