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U. S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER

Photos by CDaniels unless noted otherwise

The U. S. Space and Rocket Center, home of Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, is an official NASA Visitor Center. It also has the official NASA EducatorResources Center in its facility. It has the largest rocket collection in the world with a "full stack"--the Space Shuttle, external tank and two solid rocket boosters--you can literally stand under. It also houses one of the best displays of artifacts from our nations space program. There are hands-on interactive exhibits and space travel simulators such as G-Force Accelerator, the Space Shot, Mars Mission, and Mars Climbing Wall. One can experience a simulation of a journey across the Red Planet, the feeling of three times the force of gravity on Earth, and the sensation of free-falling.

TEACHER ACTIVITIES:

Teachers will be attending several workshops at the NASA Educator Resources Center:

Workshop 1 is on the Topex-Poseidon satellite and the Jason 1
Workshop 2 is on NASA's Mission to Planet Earth and EOS and ISS
Workshop 3 is on Microgravity
Workshop 4 is on Educational Resources Connection

After the workshops, teachers will be able to view the Imax presentation, observe the museum displays, ride the space travel simulation rides and experience the G-Force Accelerator.

At the first workshop teachers will receive information on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Topex-Poseidon satellite. (photo: Courtesy of NASA)

This satellite gathers data on the ocean's tides, sea levels, eddies, and weather patterns such as the El Nino. The workshop will also discuss the Jason-1 which is an international endeavor to study the ocean and how it affects global climate. Every 10 days, global maps of the ocean topoography is produced from the Jason-1's data. It also studies the ocean's impact on the El Nino and La Nina phenomena.

During the workshop, teachers will be able to access the Internet to practice gathering satellite data such as the one below.

(Courtesy of NASA)

Workshop 2 will provide the opportunity to learn about the Earth Observing System (EOS) which provide an international monitoring system using a comprehensive satellite system. Several satellites orbiting the Earth are measuring minute to minute changes on the Earth's processes such as the global climate changes, heat, chemistry of the atmosphere, cloud formations, radiation, water cycle, oceans, snow and sea ice, hydrology, and ecological and geological processes.

(Photo: From Terra Satellite, courtesy of NASA)

Teachers will be given the opportunity to find the internet access to these data as they go through the workshop. They will be able to discuss the importance of these satellite systems to better understand global warming, improve food production, improve air/water quality, maintain desert stability, and minimize environmental impacts of human activities such as fishing and agriculture.

(Photo: Courtesy of NASA)
Tongue of the Atlantic Ocean and Grand Bahama Bank

This image captures the place where the deep waters of the Tongue of the Ocean meets the much shallower, submerged Grand Bahama Bank which is a platform reef. The reef drops off quickly into the branch of the Great Bahama submarine canyon. This submarine canyon is called the Tongue of the Ocean because of its shape. The water is so dark in color compared to the reef because the vertical rock walls of the canyon rise over 14,000 feet from the surrounding seabed to their greatest depth.

Workshop 3 will allow the teachers to learn about the effects of microgravity on organisms as well as on human physiology. They will be given information on how to simulate microgravity on earth and how to build a bioreactor which simulates amicrogravity environment for growing cells and tissues. Plants or animal cells may be grown in the bioreactor.

Another demonstration will be on how to build a glove box. In space, things do not stay put-they float. The accompanying lesson plans for K-12 explain what a glovebox is and why it's needed in space.

Workshop 4 will allow teachers to receive the information on the different educational resources and services provided by NASA from free curriculum material, posters, resource contacts, to educational videos. They will provide a comprehensive list of internet connections to educational resources provided by NASA.
Teachers will be introduced to Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE) which offers "Education Modules" which are bundled by topic and may include CD-ROMs, videotapes, educator guides, posters, lithographs, books, lesson plans, bookmarks, fact sheets, slide sets, and activity kits. CORE serves as the worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced multimedia materials.

After the workshops teachers may enjoy the rest of the facility's displays, simulators, rides, gift shops and the Imax theater.

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