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Science

Chelsey Eimer

2011-07-01 08:32:00

Question: What can you tell me about the KAOS summer camp program?

Answer: “It’s not just a camp; it’s an experience!” That’s the frequent way participants enthusiastically describe their time in Kansas Adventures in Outer Space (KAOS). The Smithsonian-affiliated Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center offers ten summer camps for various aged young people. Formerly known as “the Future Astronaut Training Program”, the Cosmosphere’s popular KAOS program combines science education with NASA training. The KAOS four- to seven-day camps began this year on June 1, and will continue through early August. Total enrollment for the program usually approaches 1,000 campers with participants coming from throughout Kansas as well as numerous other states some from as far away as California. The five different elementary camps include such alluring names as “Alien Adventure” and “Mars Academy”. The programs are designed to be age appropriate based on grade level in school. There are also five junior and senior camps offered for students in seventh grade and older. These camps encompass Space:101, through Space:501. “KAOS offered more to us,” said Hannah Bisgis, a fourteen year old from Liberty, MO. “Everything has a reason, it’s all connected. It’s up close and personal…and more than a textbook can offer you.” Her older brother attended the camps for four years. It’s because of him that Bisgis is now in the Space:301 program, and plans on continuing. “He always came back with these great stories. It was like every year it just got better,” said Michaela. Campers train in advanced simulator missions while at camp, including: the Falcon III spacecraft simulator, 4-G centrifuge, mission control, multi-axis trainer and the stress simulator. There are also exercises with Legos and rockets, tours of the museum and they even explore the night sky. With each camp, the missions get more intense, focused on problem-solving and collaboration. Students in Space:301 have the opportunity to go to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and Space:401 campers take a trip to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “It’s a learning experience, but it’s also a lot of fun,” said Michaela Reynolds, a fourteen year old from Independence, MO. “Flying the Falcon III is like a real flight. It lasts about an hour and when you’re done everyone claps for you, like an actual mission.” Kynedi Allison, a Minneapolis, KS, teenager, found out about the camps from a family member. Her aunt in Wichita told her that if she wrote an essay, she could win a scholarship for Space: 101 and Space: 201. This option is open to all those interested in these camp levels. “I’m hoping to be an aeronautical engineer, because of what I’m learning here,” explained Allsion. “My plans before had been to be a veterinarian. There is so much that KAOS camps offer that you just don’t find anywhere else.”

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2011-06-01 10:02:00

Question: Are there any new rovers set to explore Mars?

Answer: The Mars Rover, “Curiosity,” will launch this November and arrive on Mars in August of 2012. Curiosity is a mobile laboratory designed to investigate whether conditions have been favorable for life and to examine clues in the rocks about possible past life. Curiosity will roam Mars for nearly two years with a greater range than any previous Mars rover. During that time it will analyze dozens of samples drilled from rocks or scooped from the ground. Curiosity was named by a sixth-grade Lenexa, KS, student, Clara Ma. As her prize the 12-year-old won a trip to California where she was invited to sign her name directly onto the rover during its assembly at JPL. She won the honor of naming it by submitting the winning essay. Much larger than the three previous Mars rovers, Curiosity is about nine feet long and weighs 2,000 pounds. Spirit and Opportunity landed in 2004. They were preceded by Sojourner, which landed in 1997. Curiosity will use 10 science instruments to examine rocks, soil and atmosphere. A laser will vaporize rock from a distance, and another instrument will search for organic compounds. It has mast-mounted cameras to study from a distance, arm-mounted tools to study targets within reach, and deck-mounted instruments to analyze rock and soil samples. It is believed large parts of Mars may have been covered with water at one point, and the Mars rover Spirit sampled some chemical compounds containing water molecules in 2007. A year later the Phoenix lander sampled water ice in Martian soil. Mars is often called the “Red Planet,” because the iron oxide on the surface gives it a reddish tint. It has volcanoes, valleys, deserts and polar ice caps just like Earth. It is the fourth planet from the Sun and our closest neighbor. It can be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Mars is about half the size of the Earth.

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2011-05-01 15:19:00

Question: What is considered to be man’s greatest achievement?

Answer: People have debated this question for a long time, but many agree it was putting a man on the moon. It was 50-years ago this month that President John F. Kennedy announced before a joint session of congress the lofty goal of putting a man on the moon – and returning him safely – before the end of the decade. At the time of the speech, our success rate was about 18%. Needless to say, it was a bold ambition. Kennedy made that speech on May 25, 1961. It was July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong first set foot on the lunar surface. When Armstrong made that historic leap for mankind, the Americans breathed a sigh of relief. They had won the space race, after multiple defeats by the Soviets. Soviets put the first man into space on April 12, 1961. They put the first woman into space. They had the first space walk. All of those had followed the launch of Sputnik in 1957, when Americans realized if the Russians could put that into orbit they could put something harmful into orbit. It’s hard to understand the relationship of the two countries during the space race, but it was tense to say the least. When Kennedy made his now-famous speech the political climate dictated he announce a program the US had a good chance of achieving. After consulting with Vice President Johnson, NASA Administrator James Webb, and other officials, he concluded that landing an American on the Moon would be a very challenging technological feat, but it was one arena where the Americans had a potential lead. All of NASA’s human spaceflight programs, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo were designed to bring the vision Kennedy laid out in that speech to life. Along the way, people made tremendous sacrifices, including giving their lives. The goal for supremacy over the Soviets in space was achieved before the end of the decade, just as Kennedy had outlined. The last landing on the moon was in December of 1972. Twelve men have walked on the moon. It is the only time humans have landed on another celestial body. And, although it’s hard to believe, it has been almost 40-years since we tried.

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2011-04-01 13:55:00

Question: What’s the largest planet in our Solar System?

Answer: Jupiter is the largest planet in Earth’s solar system, and also has the largest atmosphere. The diameter of Jupiter is 11 times that of Earth. It’s often the third brightest object in the night sky, after the moon and Venus. It was known by ancient astronomers and was part of the culture and mythology of multiple societies. Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. It’s mostly hydrogen, with about one quarter being helium... Jupiter has at least 63 moons, including four large ones first discovered by Galileo in 1610. He found the four largest moons of Jupiter - Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto (now known as the Galilean moons) - using a telescope. It’s believed this was the first observation of a moon other than Earth’s. Jupiter is famous for the “Great Red Spot,” a giant storm, which was seen by telescope possibly as early as the 17th century. It is large enough to be visible through Earth-based telescopes, and is thought to be a permanent feature of the planet. It has been photographed by robotic spacecraft more than once. In 1979, Voyager provided a dramatic view of the Great Red Spot when it was 5.7 million miles from Jupiter. The storm itself is larger than Earth. Although it was suspected before that, Voyager proved it was a storm. The only spacecraft to orbit Jupiter is the Galileo orbiter, which went into orbit around Jupiter on December 7, 1995. It orbited the planet for over seven years, conducting multiple flybys of all the Galilean moons and Amalthea. The spacecraft also witnessed the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 as it approached Jupiter in 1994, giving a unique vantage point for the event. Jupiter is covered with clouds and flashes of lightning have been detected in its atmosphere. These electrical discharges can be up to a thousand times as powerful as lightning on the Earth. Jupiter also has white ovals and brown ovals, which are lesser unnamed storms. White ovals tend to consist of relatively cool clouds within the upper atmosphere. Brown ovals are warmer and located within the “normal cloud layer.” Such storms can last as little as a few hours or stretch on for centuries. Jupiter has a faint planetary ring system where the rings appear to be made of dust, rather than ice as with Saturn’s rings. Jupiter tilts only slightly on its axis, so it does not have dramatic seasonal changes like Earth does. Jupiter’s rotation is the fastest of all the planets in our solar system, completing one rotation about every 10 hours.

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2011-03-01 14:39:00

Question: What space probe is the farthest from Earth right now?

Answer: Voyager 1 became the most distant man-made object from Earth on November 17, 1998. It is currently the most distant functioning space probe to receive commands and transmit information to Earth. Provided Voyager 1 doesn’t collide with any stellar objects, the newest space probes will not pass it within a human lifespan, despite being launched from Earth at a faster speed than either Voyager spacecraft. Voyager 1 has completed more than 12,000 days of continuous operations. It is a robotic space probe, weighing more than 1,500 pounds, launched September 5, 1977. Even after more than three decades, it still receives commands from, and transmits information to, Earth. Its original mission was to visit Jupiter and Saturn, and it was the first probe to provide detailed images of the moons of these planets. Voyager 1 is currently pursuing its extended mission to locate and study the boundaries of the solar system. Voyager 1 began photographing Jupiter in January 1979, and continued taking photos of Jupiter and its moons into April that year. Voyager 1 and its twin, Voyager 2, made a number of important discoveries about Jupiter, its satellites, its radiation belts, and its never-before-seen planetary rings. The most surprising discovery in that the area was the existence of volcanic activity on the moon which had not been observed either from the ground or by earlier probes. Both Voyagers went on to visit Saturn and its system of moons and rings. In November of 1980, Voyager 1 had its closest approach to Saturn and came within 77,000 miles of Saturn’s cloud-tops. The space probe’s cameras detected complex structures in the rings of Saturn, and its remote sensing instruments studied the atmospheres of Saturn and its giant moon Titan. Voyager 1 provided photos of Titan’s thick haze and images of Saturn’s rings. On February 14, 1990, Voyager 1 took the first ever “family portrait” of our solar system as seen from outside, which includes the famous image known as the “Pale Blue Dot.” NASA turned the camera back toward Earth and took the picture in which it shows up as the “Pale Blue Dot” at the request of Carl Sagan. Sagan used the phrase as part of the title for his 1994 book. It is estimated that both Voyager crafts have sufficient electrical power to operate their radio transmitters until at least after the year 2025, which will be over 48 years after launch.

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: I continue to read about how far down the youth in our country are when compared to the rest of the world. Just how bad are we? Is there anything that can be done to get students more excited about scoring higher and using what they learn?

Answer: You’ve asked two really great questions. First, relative to other nations, the United States slipped further down the list in the latest results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), arguably the most highly respected measure of comparative student achievement around the world. Here are some essential points: •The USA ranked 15 in Reading, ranking below Shanghai-China, Korea, Finland, Hong Kong-China Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, and Estonia. The average USA reading score was 500 compared to Shanghai’s 556. • In math, the USA ranked 31, but more significantly the USA’s score was 487 compared to Shanghai-China’s 600. •In science, our students scored 502 compared to Shanghai-China’s 575, ranking us 22nd. It’s important to remember that not all learning happens in the classroom. Parents can take an active part in making science and math a part of the every day discussion around the dinner table. We don’t walk around thinking about science and math in our everyday lives, but we’re affected by our knowledge of them all the time. That said, there are likely to be many discussions about the school system as a result of this research. It seems the level of expectations Asian schools have for their students, and the classroom approaches used, are very predictive for student performance. For example, the emphasis in Shanghai is less on memorization and more on problem solving skills. The highest performing Asian schools also report they focus more on individual student performance as opposed to the model in some areas of the US where “minimum competency” and group averages are the norm. Teacher training in most of these higher performing nations focuses more on subject matter content knowledge than on teaching methods. A number of studies have shown that, compared to the general population in their country, Asian teachers in the highest performing nations make relatively more money than do American teachers. But when you adjust for the difference in the amount of time Asian teachers are “on the job” compared to American teachers the difference more or less disappears because we have more days away from the classroom. American schools are dealing with a very large number of students, from a variety of backgrounds. In some other countries, the education system has less to deal with from that cultural perspective. Now, in regards to what can be done to get the students more excited about scoring higher… There are math and science camps and road shows available that have proven to be one of the biggest “sparks” for youngsters across America. They are happening much more frequently than ever before. I recently read an article in the Danville, Ill Commercial-News about a “road show” that took place in their area. Some excerpts from their piece: “Science Road Show,” which presented its first school-session program to Edison Elementary School fourth-graders last week, is designed to let students test-drive the scientific method through simple experiments. “There’s such an emphasis on other things there’s not much time for science,” said Beth Chamberlain, a 24-year teacher at Danville High School. “They’re not getting enough and that makes me sad.” She said many students don’t even know what they’re missing -- or how science affects their lives every day. “It’s a lot of hands-on activities,” she said. “I want to show them how fun science is and that it happens right there in front of them.” Edison Principal Mark Lindvahl said the Road Show was a valuable supplement, especially considering science gets short shrift due to increased instructional time devoted to reading and math. Researchers have found there’s a “golden age” for interesting students in science and, fortunately, it’s a long window. Students who become interested at a younger age – even up through middle school – are more likely to go into science, math, technology and engineering fields. What sets off that spark can be any number of things. In addition to classroom instruction, you can introduce your child to science and math through everyday activities like using fractions while cooking, or understanding the physics of using a lever while working on a home project. Inspire them to ask questions, and don’t feel like you have to have all the answers. There’s no shame in encouraging them to research the principles involved themselves and learning the science behind every day activities. There are several institutions and exhibits in the Wichita-Hutchison area that offer a variety of learning programs in math and science, as well. Some summer programs are booking now, so look for day camps and other opportunities where the principles are explained and students are encouraged to apply their new-found knowledge to the everyday world.

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: It is interesting how pop culture often mirrors more about what’s happening in our world than even the evening news shows and/or reports. I think I recall how Snoopy, in some way, was connected with our landing on the moon. Can you fill in the blanks?

Answer: I would be happy to. Snoopy has a long history with the space program. Snoopy was the first beagle to land on the moon, and beat Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin by a few months. Charles Schulz, who was a big fan of the space program, put Snoopy, the “World Famous Astronaut,” on the moon in the “Peanuts” comic strip that ran the week of March 10, 1969. Even before that Snoopy was working behind the scenes. NASA approached Schulz in 1968, with a request to use Snoopy to encourage safety among its employees and contractors. NASA constantly reminded workers they held the astronauts lives in their hands with everything they touched. NASA was granted permission, as long as Schulz drew Snoopy on all NASA related material and a copyright notice appeared with him. Schulz liked the idea of Snoopy “moonlighting” since he was already a flier. Snoopy’s first appearances were on posters promoting safety awareness. But, his role grew quickly and before long Snoopy dolls with space helmets were in production. One of the most coveted awards at NASA is the Silver Snoopy. It’s a lapel pin, drawn by Schulz, that recognizes safety, and proved to be a big hit with astronauts and employees. Silver Snoopy pins have flown on every mission since Apollo 10. When brought back to Earth, they are awarded by the astronauts themselves to people they personally believe have contributed significantly to their missions. Less than 1% of the NASA workforce receives one, and each person can receive only one in a lifetime. In May of 1969, Apollo 10 was the “dress rehearsal” mission for landing on the moon in July of that year. Snoopy and his owner, Charlie Brown, were honored by having the Apollo 10 spacecraft named after them. Astronauts Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan piloted “Snoopy” within 50,000 feet of the lunar surface while they scouted the landing area for Apollo 11. John Young orbited the moon in the command module, “Charlie Brown.” Snoopy’s space flights, both those real and imagined, are celebrated in “To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA”, an exhibit that began opening across the country more than two years ago. It examines the history of Apollo 10 and the Peanuts characters roles in that flight, and in the overall safety awareness program. “To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA” tells the story of how this beagle became a watchdog. Snoopy has been on the job at NASA for more than 40-years. He has flown on every mission since Apollo 10, including the most recent shuttle flight.

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Science

Patsy Terrell

2010-12-01 11:33:00

Question: Everyone is always looking for that extra special gift that will be remembered. Got any ideas?

Answer: Gift buying in the holiday season often turns into a chore, instead of a chance to get something meaningful for those you want to remember. It can be especially challenging to select a gift that’s not just lost in the chaos of Christmas morning. You want your gift to mean something for a long time to come. This year, consider something that won’t add to the sea of brightly colored plastic, and boxes that may get played with more than the toys. Step outside the norm and buy an experience for your loved one. For example, send a child to a summer camp. You can find one for the child’s interests, regardless of what they are. Camps are designed to focus on art, math, music and science. Several institutions and groups throughout the area offer camp experiences for kids as young as those going into second grade, on up through high school age. Some are day camps, and some are designed for students to stay on campus for a few days. Students get to experience simulators and learn science and math in an interesting way. Now there are even camps designed for adults to do with children or grandchildren. That’s a gift for you, as well as them. What could be better than a gift that lasts for an extended time period and involves making memories together? Admittedly, an experience is a little hard to wrap and put under the tree. Check gift shops of the groups offering camps for something you can wrap that relates to the experience yet to come. Maybe you get a watercolor set for a child who’s headed off to art camp, or some space food for a student who will be training to be an astronaut. Many places can handle all of that online for you. Choosing to give an experience rather than a toy provides an opportunity for something meaningful the student can look forward to, and something they’ll remember far beyond the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-11-01 13:31:00

Question: How does one give, without breaking one’s budget, this upcoming holiday as we reach out and donate to our favorite charities and organizations?

Answer: The need this year is greater than ever, but you can combine your holiday shopping and your holiday giving into one expense rather than two and give to your loved ones while supporting worthy causes. Here are some easy ways to buy great gifts that keep on giving: Business gifts: It’s always hard to choose appropriate gifts for the office but you can choose your favorite charity and make a donation on behalf of the person you’re gifting to and it will probably be more appreciated than just another fruit basket! If you like to give unique gift items, websites like the www.womensbeanproject.com or www.thehungersite.com, allow you to buy great gifts while benefitting very worthy causes at the same time. Children’s’ gifts: Buy tickets to a child’s favorite place to visit (zoo,museums) and then purchase a book, gift certificate or game from that organization to share in anticipation of your future visit. You can often go online with your local museums and zoos and make your ticket or gift store purchase and have it shipped to you or have it gift-wrapped and delivered to the person you’re buying for. Visit www.deepspacemuseums.org for combo tickets to the Cosmosphere and the Kansas Underground Salt museum. Teaching children to give: This is a great time of year to teach your children about giving back, and one great way to get your kids involved is through an angel tree or similar programs where you can choose to purchase gifts or clothing for a child or adult based on the information the organization gives you. Allowing children to help choose a gift for a child in need teaches them empathy for others and makes them consider more than just their own needs. Another way is having them choose food items at the store to give to a local food bank. Family gifts: A unique way to give is through naming opportunities at local organizations, churches or institutions that mean a lot to your family. You can have something as small as a brick paving stone or as large as a building named in honor of your family members. Donating time: When you don’t have much in the way of funds to give, another way to help is to donate your time. Most communities have a volunteer hotline where they match up your time and areas of interest with the needs of very worthy organizations. These are also great opportunities to get your children involved in hands-on giving activities. Regardless of your interests or your list of people to shop for this season, with a little creativity you can choose gifts that keep on giving well past the holiday season.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-10-01 10:11:00

Question: Why is it that U.S. students seem to be falling behind other countries in math and science?

Answer: Studies show U.S. students begin to fall behind other countries in math and science when entering their middle school years. There are numerous factors involved in this from: issues of poverty, to teaching methods, to social influences on children at that age. Regardless of the reason, it is a fact that in order to compete in a global economy it is critical that we foster and retain interest in our youth in these fields. In a recent interview, David Cote, President of Honeywell commented that the US does not produce enough of the skilled workforce his company needs to sustain a leadership role in their industries. The big question is how do we change this and keep American students interested in these fields? The problem is very complicated as you begin to look into it. We have a shortage of math and science teachers, funding for schools is tight, and social influences begin to interfere with middle school students who fear being labeled a “nerd” if they express interest or excel in these areas. There are hundreds of other factors involved but there is also hope and solutions that have proven effective and need to be expanded to reach more students. It has been proven that students at this age learn more, retain more, and show greater interest in these fields when they are taught in a more immersive environment, in other words a hands-on approach. Traditional book-work format of science instruction falls on its face for this age group. In addition, these young people need to see and hear actual examples of how these fields lead to real jobs that are interesting and provide a future for them. This will help to break the stereotype that people in these fields run around in lab coats, have no social skills and have boring jobs. It is common to find that the students, who are currently in these fields at the undergraduate level, often come from families where there are adults (fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles, etc.) that are in these fields. These students have seen in a very direct way the opportunities those fields have offered their family members and the interesting jobs those individuals have enjoyed by pursuing those fields. It is useful then, for individuals in these fields to pass along their experiences to students in that critical middle school grade level in order to educate them about those opportunities. This can be done through mentoring programs, through lecture series with opportunity for Q & A for students or through field trips to industries in these fields. The Cosmosphere has the advantage of being able to provide a totally immersive environment to students which focuses on the “cool” aspects of science like space travel. Obviously, most teachers don’t have that advantage in a typical classroom but now, via the web, teachers can access speakers from all over the globe to engage their students and often these web lectures are very low cost. Parents can also be the voice of support students need at this age to say, “It’s GREAT that you’re good in math and science because think of all the cool jobs you could get into someday and by the way here are some you may want to learn more about!”

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-09-01 13:38:00

Question: What’s that up in the night sky?

Answer: Many of you may have had the opportunity to view the recent Perseid meteor shower that was visible for several days in mid August but have you ever wondered how those “appear” and what a meteor really is? Some people call them shooting stars because from here on earth that’s what they look like, streaming bright stars that travel rapidly with a bit of a tail behind them until POOF they disappear like fireworks fading out. In reality, they are groups of objects too small to be considered an asteroid that circle the sun and are impacted by the gravitational force of planets and moons. They can range in size from a spec of dust to a boulder and when they “appear” as shooting stars they are in reality hitting our atmosphere with such speed and friction that they heat up intensely and light up like a star. In fact, until they reach the point of entering the earths atmosphere they are considered a meteoroid but once they enter the earth’s atmosphere they are categorized as a true meteor. Most of the meteors we see in the night sky burn up before ever reaching earth but a few actually reach Earth’s surface and are then classified as meteorites. Many scientists study these objects to determine their origin and makeup in hopes of discovering more about the origins of our solar system and other planets. Meteorites vary greatly in size, shape and composition. Some are as light as a snowflake and very light in color while others are extremely dense and contain high levels of iron. Most appear rather bland to the average person but a few have an iron crosshatch pattern that is unique only to certain meteorites and cannot be duplicated here on Earth, other than on a microscopic level in a lab. That is one of the many reasons meteorites have become valuable collectors items in addition to being studied extensively. Other collectors just love the idea of having a piece of the universe that is from outer space and billions of years old. It is estimated that only about 500 meteorites impact the earth each year and very few of those are ever recovered. Thanks to the big, open Kansas skies and lots of locations without light pollution to view from, almost anyone can go out during a meteor shower and really enjoy a great show of light. For information on when and where to look for meteor shows visit www.skyscrapers.org/meteors.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-08-01 13:01:00

Question: With the recent news of the Space Shuttles being retired; are there any other space projects in the future?

Answer: With all the things that NASA and the many other space organizations around the world are up to these days, it’s really hard to keep track of it all. One way to see the latest information on space discoveries from scientists around the world, in an easy to understand format, is to visit solarsystem.nasa.gov. This recently updated website is useful for all ages and interest levels; and covers topics on the latest research and exploration into our solar system and beyond. Did you know that there are 48 deep space missions in flight right now? Well you can find out about any one of them under the missions tab on this website. In addition, you can learn about the scientists that are working on the mission, what the goals and accomplishments for each mission are, and what discoveries and images have been sent back so far from each mission. The Cassini mission, for example, is underway and was designed to explore Saturn, its moons (it has 62 moons!), atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere. It also carried a probe to be delivered to one of Saturn’s moons called Titan. It has been in orbit since 1997 and is now on an extended mission to further study the moons and the rings around Saturn. Cassini observed geysers erupting on the moon, Enceladus, which has given scientist an idea of what our earth my have been like before life began to emerge here. That’s just one of thousands of interesting tidbits you can find out about on this website. There is also specific information for kids and educators. I particularly love the multimedia section where you can view some spectacular images of the planets, comets, asteroids and moons that have been observed by space telescopes as well as those here on earth. So go out and visit the universe right from the comfort of your own laptop today! You’ll be amazed by what we’ve discovered already. Marisa Honomichl is Vice President of Marketing and Development at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The Cosmosphere houses one of the largest collections of space artifacts in the world including the Apollo 13 space capsule. The mission of the Cosmosphere is “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future of Space Exploration.” This is accomplished through educational programming such as space exploration camps for students in the summer. Feel free to contact the Cosmosphere for more information on their camps and programming at (800)397-0330 or visit www.cosmo.org.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-07-01 12:04:00

What Happens to Manned Space Exploration when the Shuttles are retired?

Answer: This is the billion-dollar question in the space industry today and there is no clear answer at this time. The current administration has indicated they would like to hand over low earth orbit flights to private companies and have NASA focus on doing research into exploring space beyond low earth orbit. Low earth orbit means flights ranging less than 1240 miles above the earth like the space station that generally hovers around 200 miles above earth’s surface. The plan would be to service the space station via private contractors or by buying seats or payload space on spacecraft operated by foreign nations like Russia for example.

Last week one of these private contractors, SpaceX, successfully launched its rocket, the Falcon 9, designed to carry cargo to the international space station within the next three years. It was a beautiful launch and an interesting concept though not NEW really. From the beginning of the space race in the U.S., private contractors have participated in the design, build, servicing and launching of spacecraft. This would be a change in terms of ownership though, these new private contractors would competitively bid to provide a service (deliver a payload) at a set price for NASA and for other countries or for private companies as well. Think of this as a taxi ride rather than buying the car. Some of these contractors will even be offering space flights to private individuals for a price, which is already done via Russian spacecraft. None of this comes cheaply of course but the thought is that this will make spaceflight a more cost competitive "business" and thus allow NASA to free up more of its budget to develop new technology and push the boundaries of space exploration beyond where we’ve already been. This potential change has stirred up some serious debate. People want proof that the craft will work and be able to deliver what they claim on budget, on time and in a safe manner. Those same concerns, however, exist with the Constellation program, which was slated to be the next NASA craft to launch. There is also concern that our nation will be without the capability of servicing the space station with our own vehicles for many years and relying on foreign spacecraft to do so makes a lot of people uncomfortable. There is also a real fear that NASA, an entity that our nation has taken great pride in and worn as a badge of honor, might fall behind other nations in their efforts to explore, discover, create and accomplish things that no other country has before us. Americans hate to be second best at anything and since our trip to the moon, space exploration has been a trophy on our mantle that we do not wish to hand over. The next few years will be very interesting as NASA remakes itself and private companies begin to play a larger role in the space transportation field. Marisa Honomichl is Vice President of Marketing and Development at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The Cosmosphere houses one of the largest collections of space artifacts in the world including the Apollo 13 space capsule. The mission of the Cosmosphere is "Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future of Space Exploration." This is accomplished through educational programming such as space exploration camps for students in the summer. Feel free to contact the Cosmosphere for more information on their camps and programming at (800)397-0330 or visit www.cosmo.org.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-05-01 14:25:00

Question: Over the summer I would like to get my kids involved in something other than video games; any ideas?

Answer: This month at the Cosmosphere signals the start of our award winning camp programs. Students and adults from around the globe come to the Cosmosphere to experience space science, learn about the history of space exploration and find out what it’s like to train like an astronaut. All of these programs are designed to take an interest that these individuals have in space exploration and grow it, feed it and help it to develop a life of its own. Many studies have show that learning takes place more readily in an environment that stimulates multiple senses. Many parents tell us they can’t believe that one week can make this large of an impact on their child’s learning and enthusiasm toward learning in these subjects but there is a lot of science to explain why this happens. Learning environments at the Cosmosphere are multi-sensory. Students will for example, sit in a shuttle simulator that moves, makes sounds, looks just like the real shuttle and they will be feeling a lot of different emotions as well. There is the anticipation of their mission, the stress of trying to accomplish it, and the exhilaration of successfully performing as a team. All of those things add up to a multi-sensory activity that has a very high level of impact on their brains. Over the summer many students suffer from what educators call “brain drain” where they are not engaged in any learning activities over the summer and they tend to fall backwards in their performance academically. Summer, however is a great opportunity to feed the interests of young people and prepare them mentally for going back to school through fun and interactive activities like camps, visits to the zoo or historical sites, even family trips can be a wonderful education without feeling like “school”. By involving as many senses as possible physically and mentally, these short experiences can literally have a life-long impact. This is just as relevant to adults, particularly those over 55 who need a little brain exercise now and then. Multi-sensory learning helps to create new pathways in the brain, strengthens our ability to recall what we have been taught and keeps us engaged in new and different experiences. We can all benefit, regardless of age, from new learning experiences that keep our minds exploring. So take that painting class, enroll your child in a camp they have an interest in, and get hands-on with new activities even if you’re over 55. Summer is the perfect time to grow our brains!

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2010-05-01 14:25:00

What is the mission of the Kansas Cosmosphere?

Answer: Our mission statement at the Kansas Cosmsophere is ‘Honoring the past and inspiring the Future of Space Exploration. The first part of that mission translates into clear objectives and action items for the staff that tell the story of the history of space exploration. The second part though, Inspiring the Future, now that gets a bit tricky. Inspiration is not an easy thing to wrap your arms around and deliver to an audience of all ages with varying interests.

Last month, I had the privilege of meeting someone who had what I can only call a "presence" about him that was engaging, and most notably…inspiring. The Cosmosphere was celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission and our guest speakers included some amazing men who served as Mission Controllers during that famed flight as well as Astronauts James Lovell and Fred Haise. Any one of them could easily be called inspiring. This particular speaker, however, was Guenter Wendt, and he served as pad leader for the launch of all of the Apollo missions as well as the Mercury and Gemini missions before them. His job was to ensure the safe launch of the men in those capsules and he took that job very seriously. His accomplishments throughout the NASA programs could alone be considered inspiring but what was truly unique about him was his ability to inspire. You could not have a conversation with Guenter and walk away without your mind racing at all the possibilities this world had yet to discover. He asked questions everywhere we went, he was a voracious learner, but then he would always challenge his audience…"what if you tried this…could you make it do that?" It was that combination of listening, thinking, then posing a challenge to those he was talking to that made him a beacon of inspiration. Guenter commonly would speak to groups of engineering students, his latest challenge to them he shared was to develop cold fusion to the point it could create a clean energy source beyond anything we have today, then to develop a way to transmit that energy without wires. "It can be done," he said with such complete confidence that even the pessimist in me left wondering how long it would be before his challenge had been met. I watched Guenter with my teenage son, who I will testify is not easily inspired to do anything, and within three minutes of meeting one another Guenter was explaining to him the concept of a light year and to my astonishment, my son was listening. In fact I can only describe their interaction as transfixed. I saw Guenter have these moments with people of all ages all throughout his visit. It was simply amazing; his hunger for knowledge was absolutely contagious. A few weeks after the Apollo 13 anniversary, Guenter passed away at his home in Florida. He accomplished a great deal in his lifetime but those he inspired to take up the next challenges this world brings us will be one of his greatest legacies. His challenge to the rest of us was clear, what can we learn and whom can we inspire today?

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-12-01 10:17:00

Question: If you are having holiday stress what can you do?

Answer: If you are anything like me during the holiday season you find yourself running around in ten different directions trying to keep up with work, make the holidays fun for all (except yourself) and other than the annual turkey coma you have little time to rest and enjoy the season. The old saying about taking time to smell the roses doesn’t apply much when nothing is in bloom but there is one reliable resource to help you relax this season…look up! As the nights get darker earlier this time of year, those of us in Kansas have a great view of an absolutely amazing star field at night. In fact winter is the best time for stargazing because there is less “stuff” to inhibit viewing. I admit it can get cold, but a good coat or sleeping bag can fix that and there is something about breathing in that crisp cool air that seems to refresh you when life becomes overwhelming. Unlike summer nights, fall and winter evenings are so quiet, just the wind and the neighborhood pets and you. You don’t need a lot of equipment to enjoy the view either. This year is the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of a telescope but most of us are fine with our own two eyes or maybe a set of binoculars. It’s easier to find the constellations by just looking around. You can even make it a family event if you want to. I find even teenagers will venture away from the TV when they see their parents bundled up and parked in their lawn chairs on the back porch. After they ask why you are so strange the conversation will usually take a pleasant turn and when they look up I guarantee the view will interest them even if they don’t admit it out loud. Little people like the stars too, but be prepared for lots of questions and pointing. Here at the Cosmosphere we use a green laser pointer to show large groups where constellations are. This is a great tool for parents to use with youngsters and they are easy to find and inexpensive. If you need a lesson yourself on what is out there you can visit www.space.com and click on Nightsky. By entering in your zip code it will show you what will be visible in your area that evening. Try not to get too technical though, it’s perfectly acceptable to just go out there, look up and enjoy the quiet.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-11-01 15:55:00

Question: How do you give without breaking your budget this holiday season?

Answer: It’s been a difficult year for everyone’s budget but we still have gifts to buy this season like every holiday and it is also traditionally a time of year where we reach out and donate to our favorite charities and organizations. The need this year is greater than ever but you can combine your holiday shopping and your holiday giving into one expense rather than two and give to your loved ones while supporting worthy causes. Here are some easy ways to buy great gifts that keep on giving. • Business gifts – it’s always hard to choose appropriate gifts for the office but you can choose your favorite charity and make a donation on behalf of the person you’re gifting to and it will probably be more appreciated than just another fruit basket! If you like to give unique gift items websites like the www.womensbeanproject.com or www.thehungersite.com allow you to buy great gifts while benefitting very worthy causes at the same time. • Children’s’ gifts – buy tickets to a child’s favorite place to visit (zoo, museum) and then purchase a book, gift certificate or game from that organization to share in anticipation of your future visit. You can often go online with your local museums and zoos and make your ticket or gift store purchase and have it shipped to you or have it gift-wrapped and delivered to the person you’re buying for. Visit www.deepspacemuseums.org for combo tickets to the Cosmosphere and the Kansas Underground Salt museum. • Teaching children to give – this is a great time of year to teach your children about giving back and one great way to get your kids involved is through angel tree or similar programs where you can choose to purchase gifts or clothing for a child or adult based on the information the organization gives you. Allowing children to help choose a gift for a child in need teaches them empathy for others and makes them consider more than just their own needs. Another way is having them choose food items at the store to give to a local food bank. • Family gifts – a unique way to give is through naming opportunities at local organizations, churches or institutions that mean a lot to your family. You can have something as small as a brick paving stone or as large as a building named in honor of your family members. • Donating time – when you don’t have much in the way of funds to give, another way to help is to donate your time. Most communities have a volunteer hotline where they match up your time and areas of interest with the needs of very worthy organizations. These are also great opportunities to get your children involved in hands -on giving activities. Regardless of your interests or your list of people to shop for this season, with a little creativity you can choose gifts that keep on giving well past the holiday season. Happy holidays!

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-10-01 15:50:00

Question: How rare are astronauts?

Answer: Astronauts are a very rare breed. You are more likely to meet an NFL football player in your lifetime than you are to meet a person who has flown into space. One not only has to be talented, educated and exceptional at what they do, they also have to be lucky. As in many things in life, timing is everything and NASA not only looks for The Right Stuff, they are pretty picky about the timing of when they are looking for certain specialties. Former NASA Astronaut and also a Kansas native, Steve Hawley shared that because he was trained as an astrophysicist and an astronomer, he never dreamed he would have an opportunity to go into space. “I thought you had to be a pilot or in the military” he noted, and for many years that was the case. His timing could not have been better though and according to Hawley, “I didn’t think I had a chance of being accepted but I knew I’d regret it forever if I didn’t try so I did, and much to my surprise they chose me!” Nearly fifty years ago, the first Kansas Astronaut flew into space, not in a rocket but in an experimental plane. The X-15 was a rocket-boosted aircraft which flew 199 flights with 12 different pilots at the controls from 1959 through 1968. It captured vital data on the effects of hypersonic flight on man and machine that proved invaluable to the nation’s aeronautics researchers, including NASA and developers of the space shuttle. “It was a real kick in the pants,” shared retired Air Force Major General Joe Engle, and Kansas native, who would later go on to pilot two shuttle missions. “The drop from the B-52 carrier aircraft was pretty abrupt, and then when you lit that rocket a second or two later you definitely felt it,” said Engle, who was a member of the same exclusive fraternity of pilots that included Crossfield and the eventual first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. All took the X-15 to speeds and altitudes that extended the frontiers of flight. Three times Engle flew an X-15 higher than 50 miles, officially qualifying him for Air Force astronaut wings and giving him a brief moment for viewing the edge of space. “I didn’t really have time to soak up the view in the X-15 like I did later when I flew the space shuttle,” Engle said. Engle credits the X-15 for laying the foundation for many of the operational techniques of the space shuttle. He credits his opportunity to fly two shuttle missions with good timing though. Engle was scheduled to fly the Apollo 17 mission until the announcement of the cancellation of the Apollo program when NASA decided it was more important to have a geologist on board that mission. Although disappointed, as luck would have it, his experience as an X-15 pilot is what would make him invaluable for testing and eventually flying the shuttle years later.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-09-01 14:37:00

Question: Space Exploration- What’s in it for those of us on earth?

Answer: NASA inventors make important contributions to the nation’s space program — and to the American economy. “Spin-offs,” technologies that bring benefits across a broad spectrum of areas, make our lives better. Over 848 patents have emerged from the space center’s inventors over the past 42 years. Von Braun, Marshall Space Center’s first director and well known for his leadership in developing rockets for space, was the inventor responsible for the first Marshall Center patent — a rocket-propelled missile — on Jan. 10, 1961. NASA inventors make important contributions to the nation’s space program and to the American economy, said Jim McGroary, Marshall’s patent counsel, or legal advisor. “Engineers and scientists here have established a long history of innovation and creativity,” said McGroary. “And NASA’s patent program supports the Center’s inventors by giving them the recognition they deserve, as well as transferring space technology to the American economy, so everybody benefits,” he added. Today patented inventions developed from the space centers must demonstrate commercial potential. Inventors are advised to develop their ideas, when possible, with the needs of the market in mind. That’s because in 1962 NASA established the Technology Utilization Program to promote the transfer of aerospace technology to the private sector. As a result, life on Earth has benefited from an outpouring of space technology “spin-offs” into the fields of health, medicine, transportation, public safety, computer technology, industrial products, consumer products, and many more areas. Some of the better-known inventions developed by the people at NASA include: VISAR - Helping law enforcement identify criminals and solve crimes is a surprising benefit from a NASA-developed technology known as VISAR. Short for Video Image Stabilization and Registration, this software was created by NASA scientists to study violent explosions. VISAR stabilizes and enhances poor quality video, brightens dark pictures and enlarges small areas to reveal clues about crimes. Aluminum Alloy - Another NASA patent success story is a high-strength aluminum-silicon alloy. The alloy is three times stronger than conventional cast aluminum alloy at high temperatures, and will enable engine manufacturers to make engines that produce more horsepower with less weight, while emitting fewer pollutants. The alloy holds promise of improving gas mileage in cars and recreational vehicles, as well as boats. Knee Brace - A team of five Marshall engineers, invented the Selectively Lockable Knee Brace. This prosthetic device is designed to aid recovering stroke and knee injury patients. It attaches to a person’s thigh, with the lower part secured to the foot. It allows knee movement when weight is not on the heel, then locks into position when weight is placed on the heel. Space exploration calls for a lot of innovation and for almost a half century America has benefitted from the many alternative uses of the materials, discoveries and technology developed for the space program. Some of the most relevant discoveries for Americans could come from these space “spinoffs” although the knowledge we gain about our universe is a great added bonus! For more on space spin-offs visit www.sti.nasa.gov/tto.

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Science

Linda Schmitt

2009-08-01 13:52:00

Question: What’s so special about salt?

Answer: As I look around my office here at the Kansas Underground Salt Museum I see a crystal bowl of my favorite clear and red salt and five good-sized chucks of salt, including the piece that I picked up eight years ago when I went down into the mine for the first time. It is pink because I left it in a cabinet with a red cinnamon candle for a few years. On my book-shelf, I have twelve more chunks of salt, some with mud in them, some clear, some white and some with red and black stripes. On the floor behind my desk, there are three boxes full of large salt rocks-some as big as footballs and very heavy. On my kitchen cabinet at home, I have three boxes full of beautiful clear rock salt containing water bubbles that I acquired on my last trip to the mine face. Finally, on my coffee table is a large square shaped chunk that becomes illuminated by the rising sun every morning at about 8:00. I know that if I journeyed underground today, I would be filling my bucket full. Some people might say that I am obsessed with the stuff, but I think that my fascination comes from the fact that there is nothing as elemental to life on earth as halite, more commonly known as sodium chloride or salt. Here are a few facts about salt that you might find surprising: • Homer and Plato both referred to salt as a divine substance. • Salt has often been equated with fertility. In many cultures either the bride or the groom carry salt in their clothing during the wedding ceremony. • Almost every part and product of the human body contains salt. All humans and animals would die without salt and water. • There are over 14,000 known uses for salt. • Until 100 years ago, salt was the most precious and commonly fought over commodity. • In many cultures and most religions, salt has been used to protect people and their homes from evil. • Reliable salt supplies enabled the development of the cultivation and preservation of food and the domestication of animals-thus leading to the development of civilization. • Roman soldiers were often paid in salt or “salary.” Have you ever heard the expression “worth his salt?” How about “salt of the earth” or “with a grain of salt?” Other words coming from salt include sauce and sausage. • The Civil War was shortened by the destruction of the salt works in Saltville VA, by the Union troops. This led to a decrease in the South’s ability to preserve food for winter. • Salt was essential to the preservation of Egyptian mummies, many of which remain well preserved to this day. • In 2008, about 260 million tons of salt were produced worldwide including 500,000 tons right here at the Hutchinson Salt Mine. I could go on but I think you get the idea. Loving salt is part of our DNA! Visit us at the Kansas Underground Salt Museum and start your own collection of this amazing substance. www.undergroundmuseum.org

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Science

Linda Schmitt

2009-08-01 12:16:00

Question: How did Hutchinson become the Salt City?

Answer: Eons before the great salt beds of Kansas were discovered by humans; bison, elk, deer and other animals licked salt crystals that formed in the salt marshes of Rice and Republic Counties. Salt was found on top of the ground in Rice county in 1875 by some cowboys and a company was founded in Hutchinson to make salt. The salt marsh was not saline enough to be profitable however and the effort was abandoned. Then in 1886, a flashy land speculator named Ben Blanchard arrived in Hutchinson. One popular legend is that he was trying to escape a deal gone wrong in Terre Haute, Indiana. To elude the sheriff, who was on the same train, Ben arrived in Hutchinson dressed as a woman. What is known for sure is that Blanchard organized and laid out the city of South Hutchinson. Because he was having trouble selling property, he became interested in finding oil, that he was convinced, lay underground. Blanchard hired a firm to drill, but became worried as the days went by and no oil was found. On September 27, 1887, in order to ensure a discovery, he dumped a few barrels of oil into the hole when the drilling reached the appropriate depth. Eventually, the well was shown to be empty but did produce a vein of salt. The original well can be seen today in South Hutchinson. Blanchard’s discovery of salt was the first significant find west of the Mississippi and within a year, there were 10 salt companies in Hutchinson. In June 1888, representatives of the Michigan Salt Association visited Hutchinson. One of the participants was Joy Morton. The group expected to start their own plant but saw the large number of active companies and decided that it wasn’t a good time to invest. Later Morton bought up several unprofitable and failing companies, and in 1907 built the one that exists today as Morton Salt brine evaporation plant in South Hutchinson. In 1893, the Barton family founded a brine evaporation plant in Hutchinson that still exists today as Cargill Salt. Emerson Carey opened a brine plant in 1901 and began mining the first rock-salt underground in Reno County in 1923. This salt mine has operated continuously since that time and now is known as the Hutchinson Salt Company. Today, three separate businesses exist in the mine which covers 670 acres and has 67 miles of tunnels. These are the Hutchinson Salt Company, Underground Vaults and Storage and the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. KUSM has hosted over 150,000 visitors from all over the world since it opened in spring 2007. Today, salt continues to define Hutchinson as a true Salt City!

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Science

Linda Schmitt

2009-07-01 11:56:00

Answer: Salt-loving bacteria that was discovered in 1999 by Doctors Russell Vreeland, William Rosenzweig and Dennis Powers, and extracted from a crystal of salt found in New Mexico. A paper documenting this discovery was published in the science journal, Nature in 2000 and to date, this bacteria, dubbed “Harry” by the scientists, is the oldest living organism ever found on earth. KUSM was very fortunate to obtain all of the laboratory equipment used in the discovery, the salt crystal, the organism and a visit from all three of the distinguished scientists that isolated the salt sample and performed the research. Since the exhibit “Take It With a Grain of Salt: Life in Permian Period Fluid Inclusions,” first opened in May 2008, over 54,000 visitors have traveled on the hoist, 650 feet underground, to marvel at the thought that an organism 20 million years older than any dinosaur still lives. Today, Doctors Powers and Vreeland and their teams are looking for ancient DNA and bacteria in the Hutchinson Salt Mine. If found, it would take Harry’s place as the oldest organism ever found at 270 million years. What do you think we should name it? In addition to this exhibit, there is much to explore at KUSM. Far from feeling claustrophobic, the salt museum features wide-open caverns with eleven to seventeen foot ceilings. A “dark ride” takes visitors into areas formed by over 86 years of continuous salt mining, to see fascinating geological formations and antique vehicles that have been underground for decades. There is also a good chance that you will have the opportunity to do a little salt mining yourself! Do you think that all salt is white? Think again! Following the dark ride, wander though the exhibits at your leisure learning about the salt mining process and pondering how massive pieces of equipment ever fit down a small mine shaft, barely half the size of the modern museum shaft. Learn also how Underground Vaults and Storage stores over seven million documents, movies and TV shows underground. Hey, this sounds like another Q&A! Stay tuned for the details and check our web site at www.undergroundmuseum.org to find out tour times and how to make reservations. We hope to see you soon!

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-06-01 10:29:00

Question: How many years has it been since man first reached the moon?

Answer: July 20th will mark the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission landing on the moon and Astronaut Neil Armstrong first stepping foot on the moon surface. It is a moment of time that has been relived so often on television and other media that even those of us who were not alive can clearly recollect it was “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. With all that has happened in the last 40 years, what seems so unique about that moment compared to other memorable events is this: It was a positive, uplifting experience and it was relevant to all of mankind. All of us can recollect moments in history that touched us deeply. Sadly many of those moments over the past 40 years have been tragedies. This moment, however, was far from tragic; it was epic, moving, inspiring and amazing all at once. It represented many different things to many different people and opened up so much possibility for the dreamers in all of us afraid to reach for those dreams. The result of many, many dreamers working together was unfolding right before our eyes. For those few minutes, the impossible seemed possible. Even the Apollo astronauts had no idea just how large an impact this accomplishment would be for the world. Here in the U.S. they expected excitement and interest, but coming home they were quite shocked how people from all over the world felt connected in some way to this mission and saw it as an accomplishment not of a single nation but representing all of humanity. How many times in history have we been brought together like that? This spring we received a copy of an e-mail sent to the Kansas Cosmosphere president from Alan Bean, former Apollo astronaut and now an accomplished painter. He was beginning work on a new painting to capture the Spirit of Apollo and wanted input on what we thought that would be? What a tough question! How do you put into words a moment that meant so many different things to so many different people? I’m looking forward to finding out what he decided to put into that piece, but it inspired an idea for us as well. To commemorate this 40th anniversary, wouldn’t it be great to have those who remember this moment share how it impacted them personally. What do they remember feeling? How did it impact their lives? We decided to post a blog where anyone could share their stories about this moment in history. We invite you to share your stories with the world at www.cosmo.org. I’ve been lucky enough to hear the stories of many of the astronauts, engineers and technicians who played a part on those early space flights and I’m just as excited to hear the stories of everyday people. Maybe you can help us put into words what the Spirit of Apollo truly was and we can all relive a glorious moment in history. Thanks in advance for your stories!

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: Why is NASA going back to the moon?

Answer: Many people are starting to hear about the next major manned space program, Constellation, which will take humans back to the moon. A number of people wonder, “What’s the point, haven’t we already done that?” In a recent presentation at the Cosmosphere, William Parsons, former director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, was asked that exact question. His response was rather simple. “It is in the nature of our species to explore and there are many things left to explore on the moon…and it will provide the perfect training ground for us to prepare to go to Mars and beyond.” It’s true we are a curious species and exploring our environment and what lies beyond seems to be a trait that has driven us to take great risks and spend vast amounts of time and money to accomplish. Since before man had a written language, we have been tracking the heavens and dreaming of what lies out there. Some of the earliest and greatest monuments built by man were created to try to better understand and predict the universe we live in. Even today, what we know about the universe in which we live, is very limited and constantly amazing the researchers who dedicate their lives to the subject. We know what we have learned thus far, and what we expect to learn in the not too distant future, but we have no idea how much we have not yet imagined might be out there to learn. For those who want a more practical reason for returning to the moon, that exists as well. The innovation that is generated by the unique needs of the space program, particularly manned space programs, is something we can all benefit from in a very real way. In fact, the early manned space missions through the Apollo era were such a whale of innovative ideas that we are still feeding off that catch today. But it is time to go fishing again for some fresh, new, possibly even more amazing technology and scientific findings from which we can all benefit. Our next moon missions are intended to do more than collect rocks and prove we can get there. NASA hopes to establish habitats that can sustain groups of people living there for extended periods. This is necessary to accomplish extended human space travel such as a trip to Mars, which it is expected would take space travelers about two years to complete. Six months to get there, a year on the planet and six months to return is the current thinking. These lessons would not only help us learn to survive in the harsh conditions of space, it can also teach us how to better use our resources here to sustain our environment and reduce our impact on the earth. There are hundreds of lessons we expect to learn by returning to the moon before going on to Mars, and there are thousands more that we will learn along the way that we never expected. Those will probably be the most significant.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: Why are we falling behind in the number of students entering Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields in the U.S?

Answer: Studies show U.S. students begin to fall behind other countries in math and science when entering their middle school years. There are numerous factors involved in this from issues of poverty, to teaching methods, to social influences on children at that age. Regardless of the reason, it is a fact that in order to compete in a global economy it is critical that we foster and retain interest in our youth in these fields. In a recent interview, David Cote, President of Honeywell commented that the US does not produce enough of the skilled workforce his company needs to sustain a leadership role in their industries. The big question is how do we change this and keep American students interested in these fields? The problem is very complicated as you begin to look into it. We have a shortage of math and science teachers, funding for schools is tight, and social influences begin to interfere with middle school students who fear being labeled a “nerd” if they express interest or excel in these areas. There are hundreds of other factors involved but there is also hope and solutions that have proven effective and need to be expanded to reach more students. It has been proven that students at this age learn more, retain more, and show greater interest in these fields when they are taught in a more immersive environment, in other words a hands-on approach. Traditional book-work format of science instruction falls on its face for this age group. In addition these young people need to see and hear actual examples of how these fields lead to real jobs that are interesting and provide a future for them. This will help to break the stereotype that people in these fields run around in lab coats, have no social skills and have boring jobs. It is common to find that the students, who are currently in these fields at the undergraduate level, often come from families where there are adults (fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles, etc.) that are in these fields. These students have seen in a very direct way the opportunities those fields have offered their family members and the interesting jobs those individuals have enjoyed by pursuing those fields. It is useful then, for individuals in these fields to pass along their experiences to students in that critical middle school grade level in order to educate them about those opportunities. This can be done through mentoring programs, through lecture series with opportunity for Q & A for students or through field trips to industries in these fields. The Cosmosphere has the advantage of being able to provide a totally immersive environment to students which focuses on the “cool” aspects of science like space travel. Obviously most teachers don’t have that advantage in a typical classroom but now, via the web, teachers can access speakers from all over the globe to engage their students and often these web lectures are very low cost. Parents can also be the voice of support students need at this age to say, “It’s GREAT that you’re good in math and science because think of all the cool jobs you could get into someday and by the way here are some you may want to learn more about!”

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Question: What do you see in the coming years in space exploration?

Answer: Every time I tour a group through the Cosmosphere Hall of Space museum, I am inspired. What a huge stretch was made by such a large group of people. This was done during a time in our history when it was very difficult to do so. Consider all the upheaval that was going on in our country in the 60’s, a war, race riots, and people generally growing distrustful of our government and its decisions? There were so many big issues to focus on at the time, yet they chose to make a huge commitment individually and as a whole. It was a huge leap of faith as well as commitment. President Kennedy said to our country and to the world that America would put a man on the moon and bring him safely back home. We had more rockets blowing up on the launch pad than not, we were behind the Russians in our pursuit of space exploration both technologically and in terms of experience. We clearly had a lot of other big issues on our plate as a country. Regardless, the President, NASA, hundreds of corporations and thousands of individuals took that leap. With no guarantees of success and the assurance that every failure would be occurring in front of the entire world, literally, they forged ahead. When I explain to visitors that these spacecraft had less computing power than most cell phones today, and they look into the capsules and see a compartment with an interior smaller than an elevator, I think they appreciate just how amazing an accomplishment this really was. It was so amazing that no other country has repeated it in the 40 years since our first landing. For a moment in time, the whole world looked up from their fighting, their misery and their hate and just said “wow”, and for the forty years since, we look back and still say it. Even the Astronauts, who became the stars of this endeavor, were surprised by the global response to men landing on the moon. They expected Americans to be proud of the accomplishment but they didn’t expect that the world would see this not just as an American accomplishment but one of mankind reaching a goal that had been only a dream since man first gazed up at the moon. My hope for the coming New Year is that our country finds a way to make a stretch. The goal could be Mars or some other pursuit but regardless, it should be grand enough to make the world stop again and feel good about what humans can accomplish when individuals push themselves, put aside their differences and work together toward a lofty goal. Astronaut Michael Collins said, “It’s human nature to stretch, to go, to see, to understand. Exploration is not a choice, really; it’s an imperative.” What will your stretch be? If we are determined, if we’re brave, if we work hard and join together…it could be WOW again.

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Science

Marisa Honomichl

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Question: When children get bored, what are the options to stay warm and still keep them entertained?

Answer: It’s that Jan-Feb time of year again and the added cold weather we’ve been having lately brought about the phrase I hear from my children EVERY year during the winter. It’s the dreaded words, “I’m bored! What do we do?” As adults we’ve learned to grab a book and hang out in our PJ’s as long as we’re allowed, but children of course haven’t learned to appreciate downtime so what can they do besides drive us crazy? Lots in fact! In addition to this being a great time of year to explore all the great museums in our area it’s also a good time to use the free stuff on-line to spark your child’s interest in science, technology and much more. Do your children like the stars? Try out www.hubblesite.org for a huge variety of astronomy facts and broadcasts that are geared to all different age groups. The sister site, www.amazing-space.stsci.edu even has online games for kids where they can be challenged on a variety of topics while having a lot of fun navigating the game and is a great resource for K-6 teachers. Another great site for games is the NASA Kidsclub at nasa.gov. Lastly is a site called starchild where the concepts of astronomy are explained in terms any of us can understand and it’s perfect for grade school aged children. The nasa.gov web site is also very useful for older students, especially if they need help with homework that relates to NASA activities or if they’re doing research on a project that deals with space. There are research assistance areas and what is called MyNASA where they have homework assistance. There are fun things too, like NASA podcasts and my favorite…the NASA picture of the day. They are amazing and downloadable so you can print your favorites in high resolution for free! Did you know you could have your name included on a microchip that is going to Mars? You can and so can your children; just log onto nasa.gov and sign up! There’s even a site where songs and lyrics are used to explain astronomy called www.astrocappella.com. For those of you who have better recall when the information is put to music…enjoy! Our brains don’t need to be stuck indoors even when the weather isn’t so nice. Explore our universe on the web or come out and enjoy it at your local museums!