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.

The Nov. 14, 2016, supermoon is the closest the moon will be to Earth since 1948.

Source: November Supermoon a Spectacular Sight | NASA

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!

From inspiration of his launch on March 17, 1926, where he accomplished the first flight with a rocket using liquid propellants, we have a fun activity building a rocket.  His rocket, later named “Nell”, achieved a height of 41 feet during a 2.5 second flight, and landed 184 feet from liftoff.  The launch site, once a cabbage field, is now a National Historic Landmark, the Goddard Rocket Launching Site.  Build a Goddard rocket and see if you too can achieve the same lift and landing distance!  Although this rocket does not use liquid fuel like Goddard’s, it is a fun way to explore the science of flight.

Materials (quantity listed is for one rocket, adjust for how many rocket you wish to make):

• 10″ – 14″ of  3/4″ or 3/8″ foam pipe insulation
• 1 zip tie
• 1 foam sheet or meat tray (can also ask local meat department for donations)
• 1 rubber washer (in a pinch soda straw also works)
• 1 #64 rubber band
• dual temp hot glue gun and glue
• scissors or hobby knife
• craft paint (optional)
• paper for record keeping (optional)
• self healing cutting mat (optional)
• altitude tracker (optional)

Procedure:

1.  Explore what different rockets look like, paying close attention to the fins.  See what various rockets launched into space as well as hobby rockets have used as configurations for their fins.  Notice the number, placement and tilt (if any) of the fins.  For each rocket you build, design and test different fin designs to see how they impact flight.
2.  Cut fins out of the foam sheets/meat trays for each design.
3.  Cut the foam insulation rods to lengths of 10″ – 14″.  Test various lengths to see how they impact flight as well!  If your insulation tube has removable strips to seal the opening along the length of the tube, wait to peel those off until a few steps from now.
4.  Depending on the length of your rod, measure 2″ – 3″ from the bottom of your rocket and glue the fins in your planned design to the rocket.  Work around the opening that runs the length of the tube.
5.  Now you want to develop a way to make sure your rubber band does not come out of the top of the rocket. Tie the rubber band around the rubber washer.  If using a straw, tie the straw like a pretzel around the rubber band.  Trim the straw so there is less than an inch on each side of the knot.
6.  Place the washer or straw about 2 inches down from the top of the rocket and have the robber band extend out the top.  You should not be able to see the washer or the straw.
7.  Once you have this in place you can remove the film down the center of the rocket tube and make sure the two sides adequately stick together.
8.  With the rubber band still in place use a zip tie just below the top of the rocket to close the top of the rocket tube.  Tighten the zip tie as much as possible to keep the rubber band from coming out. If the zip tie comes off simply use another one to close the top.  Trim the zip tie as close to the locking part as possible.  To keep it from potentially scratching you, you can cover the zip tie in some hot glue.
9. Decorate your rocket as you wish with craft paint or anything else.  Keep in mind the more it weight will impact flight!
10.  To fly your rocket, place a finger in the rubber band, and pull back from the bottom opening of the rocket tube.  We have found it easiest to hold the end with two fingers: one placed inside the tube and one pinching the outside.  Aim and let go!

To learn even more about your rocket and how it flies, try the following and record your results.  Remember, good scientists repeat their experiments many times to make sure they are getting consistent results, and to weed out any statistical anomalies.

1.  See if you can get your rocket to land on a target!
2.  Develop a record sheet to keep track of your rocket(s) flight.  Think of all the variables you could track and record: weight, distance, angle of launch, rubber band stretch amount, duration of flight, weather conditions, fin design, etc.
3.  Track your maximum altitude with an altitude tracker, or build your own.
4.  Consider what other experiments you can create with your rocket(s)!

Have fun!

While you are there see their Student Pathways Program for information on opportunities for students and recent graduates to be considered for federal employment.