Partnership brings space to classroom

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Thibault
  • Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
More than 300 students and teachers boarded yellow buses for a field trip like no other. No, they did not visit the zoo or any of the local tourist attractions; they ventured all the way to space -- well, Air Force Space Command headquarters here.

The students were invited as part of the “Space in the Classroom” program held by Space Foundation and Air Force Space Command officials Sept. 17. The program was created to celebrate 50 years of Air Force space and missile heritage.

“This was a great opportunity for the students to see space firsthand, and to help them realize their potential in the space arena,” said Steve Tindell, of AFSPC’s commander’s action group.

The field trip for the attending elementary-, middle- and high-school students was packed with space-related activities.

Presenters, including NASA astronaut Jeffrey Ashby, told the students about the history of space and missiles and what lies ahead. The students also received a multimedia presentation titled “Mars and Beyond.”

“I liked the space briefings a lot. I liked being able to see the future of what we’re doing in space and to see the aircraft from the past,” said Shawn Damphousse, a high-school senior.

Not only did the field trip give students and educators the chance to catch up on some of the latest advances in the space industry and what the future holds, the event also opened students’ eyes as to what their teachers have been trying to teach them.

“I teach basic aero-stuff and aircraft-related subjects,” said John Mann, a retired Air Force pilot and high-school teacher, “but today’s event helped my students see what books couldn’t relate.”

High-school teachers were not the only teachers who thought the “Space in the Classroom” was useful to the teaching process.

“I wanted to bring (my class) out here to expose them to space exploration and some of its related aspects,” said April Lanotte, a sixth-grade teacher. “When I teach space and Earth science, sometimes it’s hard for them to grasp the concepts, but today gives them something physical to relate to the text.”

AFSPC event coordinators said they saw the education benefits of the day’s events.

“The students were focused and engaged,” Mr. Tindell said. “It was encouraging to see them. They are our future, and we are in good hands.”

Students eliminated some of the confusion that oftentimes clouds science studies in school.

“We are learning about space in school, but this makes it (clearer),” said sixth-grader Joseph Convely.

The students were able to better understand space through the words of an astronaut who has seen it with his own eyes three times. Ms. Lanotte’s students arrived first and were able to ask Mr. Ashby one-on-one questions before the other students arrived.

“We didn’t expect to have that opportunity or experience,” she said.

Students also visited the Peterson Air and Space Museum which intrigued many of the students with reminders of heritage and past achievements.

“This is pretty cool,” said Jackie Lewis, a high-school junior. “Today has made our class work more real and has given me more sense of how everything works.”

As a whole, the event offered teasers of what Air Force Space Command is all about and what potential is available in the “High Frontier.”

“We have seen a lot,” said Monica Nelson, a high-school senior. With hopes of becoming an aeronautical or aerospace engineer, Monica said she found the day to be very interesting.

“I think the students walked away with a better appreciation for the importance of science and math for their futures,” said Maj. Corvin Connolly, also of the commander’s action group.

“They have a greater understanding of the opportunities in space, and the exposure helped them start pursuing their dreams,” Mr. Tindell said. (Courtesy of AFSPC News Service)