Day 5 NASA International Space Station PSTI

Day 5; oh no, it is the last day of this experience. I will end this with saying that I am so grateful to have experienced such a wonderful thing. NASA is such a wonderful community. The people were amazing and their love for what they do. I met so many interesting people and got to know them over the past 5 days. There were 40 of us total, 20 of which, were Broward College students! I learned things that are beyond anyone's imagination. The ISS is about 250 miles above the earths surface, travels around 15,000mph, is the length of a football field, and still houses astronauts (from the US) to this day. The experiments that are going on in space have created many wonderful advances in medicine, engineering, and other fields.

Today was our final investigation of our space microbes, we learned about VEGGIE on the ISS, and then got to have lunch and hangout with the scientists.


NASA Space Microbes Invasion (Day 5 of 5) 
OBJECTIVE:  To investigate how different cleaning agents sanitize an assortment of vegetables and fruits for consumption on board the ISS. 

Over the past 5 days, watching the microbes grow - we observed that the onion had no growth. We determined that the onion does not have microbes and that the lettuce is low microbial. The reason why the lettuce may have exhibited so much growth is because it had been handled and processed in factory. However, if the lettuce was grown in a controlled environment, the microbial growth would be significantly less. The vinegar seems to have been a good way to clean the vegetables, but not good enough.

VEGGIE Overview – Gioia 

Meeting Gioia was quite awesome. She was extremely smart and - well, really....beyond words. She told us about a current plant growth system that is in place on the ISS. Our microbes experiment was based around VEGGIE. It is important when trying to grow plants in space, that they are low microbial plants because the only microbes currently in space are from the astronauts. Below is a link to a website, which provides a bit more information on VEGGIE. Also, a picture of Gioia.

http://www.nasa.gov/content/veggie-plant-growth-system-activated-on-international-space-station/ 

Trent came back to hang out and showed us one of his patents.

We also met and got to know other scientists that are involved with VEGGIE. Once again, I am so thankful for this experience and hope that I can do more with NASA, all while introducing such a wonderful subject to my students.


Lunch and Hangout with a Scientist

 

Day 4 NASA International Space Station PSTI

Day 4 was such a phenomenal experience, as well. However, today was an exploration for ourselves kind of day. Prior to lunch we continued with our day as normal with professional development.

Today we continue with our microbial investigation, studying layers for planets, met Rachel in the e-Learning Lab, and went on console at Hangar AE.

NASA Space Microbes Invasion (Day 4 of 5)

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate how different cleaning agents sanitize an assortment of vegetables and fruits for consumption on board the ISS.

Unfortunately, I was so excited to move forward to the next activity, I forgot to take pictures of our microbes today. Good news is, they really did not vary too much from the previous day. They are still growing, but there was not much change noted.

NASA Mars is STEMulating – Strange New Planet, Lava Layering, Soft Landing

OBJECTIVE:  Activities progress from the remote sensing of a planet, exploration of the planet remotely and eventually how one might survive on the Martian surface. Activities also include lessons on volcanoes and geology and comparisons of the Earth versus the surface of Mars are also made.

We created a volcano with playdoh and created the first layer. After the first layer you add baking soda and vinegar to create the eruption. After the volcano erupts, trace the areas the lava flowed and then relayer it with a new color of playdoh. You continue doing this until you reach the last layer. After, you take a core sample to evaluate and view layers. We took various core samples to see the difference from one area of the volcano to the next.

NASA Resources (e-Learning Lab) – Rachel

OBJECTIVE:  To make students aware of NASA resources online and exposure to the Digital Learning Network (DLN).

We had the opportunity to meet with Rachel in the e-Learning lab. She talked about the Digital Learning Network and how teachers can use this in their classroom. Student can interact with NASA and do wonderful activities! Check out the link below.

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/dln/#.U_vGES9w2PE

NASA Egg Drop Activity
OBJECTIVE: Create a landing module that can land without breaking an egg and drop it from 10 ft. up.

Prior to our simulation training, we had a presentation that is unforgettable!

NASA Hangar AE Mission Simulation Training

At the end of the day we headed over to Hangar AE for a simulation on console.
Unfortunately, our rocket had an anomaly and exploded at take-off, but at least we
conducted ourselves the way they would in Houston...."Houston, we have a problem!" When
we were driving back from Hangar AE, I also took pictures of the SpaceX Rocket that was
set up for launch and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) (tallest one story building in the
world).

SpaceX Rocket, ready for launch.

Between the two right building, you can see the rocket.

Far off view!

That's the VAB, which is above, as well.

Day 3 NASA International Space Station PSTI

Day 3 was such a phenomenal experience, as well. However, today was an exploration for ourselves kind of day. Prior to lunch we continued with our day as normal with professional development.

Today we continue with our microbial investigation, met Trent Smith, created our own plant growth chambers, and toured Kennedy Space Center on our own.

NASA Space Microbes Invasion (Day 3 of 5)
OBJECTIVE:  To investigate how different cleaning agents sanitize an assortment of vegetables and fruits for consumption on board the ISS.

NASA Meet Trent Smith - ISS Utilization Overview – Science payloads focusing on KSC managed payloads.
OBJECTIVE: Who is he? What does he do?

Prior to his current position, Trent Smith, originally started out as a polymer chemist. Trent Smith currently works on the Commercial Crew Program. Prior to joining CCP, he worked with the United States Senate as a NASA technical advisor for the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He was also a vehicle processing engineer, along with many other jobs. One thing Trent told us, he has a hard time saying, "NO!" If NASA asks Trent to do something, he does it! Below is a picture with him, but you can also read more about him at the link below.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/smith-t.html

NASA Plant Growth Chamber – ERC
FOCUS QUESTION:  How can plants grow on the Moon, on Mars, or in the International Space Station (ISS)? What are these environments like and how do they differ from Earth’s environment?

Our plant growth chamber. It had to be small and weigh very little, as going to space can be quite costly.

Tour KSCVC/Atlantis

Next up, we got to explore the Kennedy Space Center on our own. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Marcos Pontes, the first and only Brazilian astronaut to go to space. Although his time in space was less than 2 weeks, it was an experience of a life time. Along with meeting Marcos Pontes, I took a tour and checked out the space shuttle, Atlantis. After the tour, off to watch IMAX: Space Station 3D. This movie was spectacular, if gave a point of view from the astronauts on the construction of the space station, including living there.

 

Day 2 NASA International Space Station PSTI

Day 1 was great! Who knew day 2 would be just as great; if not better? Learning about how to incorporate NASA into the curriculum and how much space is related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), has been a real eye-opening experience. I am so excited to start teaching and utilizing the wonderful things I have learned into my very own classroom.

Activities for today include the continuation of or space microbial investigation, truss building, and tour of the SSPF (Space Station Processing Facility).

NASA Space Microbes Invasion (Day 2 of 5)
OBJECTIVE: To investigate how different cleaning agents sanitize an assortment of vegetables and fruits for consumption on board the ISS.

NASA Professional Development Workshop: ISS Build Activity – ERC
OBJECTIVE: To design, build, and evaluate a truss of our own design.

 

Unfortunately, I was not able to get a picture, but our truss was able to withstand and hold 4lbs, 8lbs, and 12lbs. in weight. The opportunity to test our designs is what makes the experience so successful and fun. We all challenged each other as teams, but were very supportive of each other throughout this process. Hopefully, our students can do the same!

NASA Professional Development Workshop: Space Suit/Cooling Suit – ERC
FOCUS QUESTION: How do astronauts stay "cool" during extravehicular (EVA)? How is the water cooling technology used in the Space Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)?


This was quite the activity. We each created our own cooling suits, utilizing a sock, tubing, syringe, and water. By simultaneously cutting holes throughout the sock, you can feed the tubing through the sock and place it around your arm. Utilizing the syringe, flow water through the tubing, and you are instantly cooled!

Tour SSPF main lobby, high bay, hardware and science payload support.

This was really cool, this was communication room where the astronauts communicate via video. Here is a current astronaut doing laboratory testing.

Large unit for experiments of payloads.

Various payloads.

Another payload.

LED lights used in plant growth chamber.

Look what I stumbled on!!!

If you think Day 1 and Day 2 were great, I am just getting started. Stick around for the rest of my week! This once in a life time opportunity and experience has yet to begin!