NASA brings education
materials to AirVenture
By Frederick A. Johnsen
NASA Public Affairs
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Toby Brown takes aim
to launch a remarkable ring-wing glider from the education display
in the NASA exhibit building at EAA AirVenture 2006. Photo by
Frederick A. Johnsen |
Fly a round glider,
launch a lung-powered paper rocket from a straw, or color the familiar
NASA blue logo with crayons. Those are just three of the activity
choices NASA educators brought to EAA AirVenture 2006.
Located in the right
front corner of the NASA exhibit building, the education specialists
came prepared, with paper airplane templates and elementary-level
activity books that include everything from word puzzles to science
projects. Toby Brown, a NASA education specialist, said his team brought
packets of educational materials suitable for teachers and
home-schooling parents. Brown is accompanied by educators from NASA’s
Glenn Research Center in Ohio, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and
Johnson Space Center in Texas.
NASA encourages students
of all ages to pursue careers in math and science. The rocket scientist
of tomorrow may be today’s coloring book virtuoso. But Brown and his
team don’t serve just the mathematically adept students. "Anybody
can be interested in space, and you can use that to teach just about
anything," Toby explains. In fact, Toby is a historian by
profession. His research in the field of Soviet space activity proved to
be a vector into the NASA education program.
NASA has education
specialists at all 10 of the Agency’s centers around the United
States. They work with local educators on a variety of programs, and
have conducted live video conversations between students and astronauts
aboard the International Space Station.
It’s not just the kids
who linger at the NASA education display. Adults stop by for a paper
airplane lesson, a quick rocket launch, and even a temporary tattoo or
two. In an exhibit building where everything can be considered a
learning experience, the NASA educators put an exclamation point on it
with their engaging activities.
