What's Right In South Lane School District (Dec. 18, 2009)
Delight Valley Students Explore the Final Frontier
Submitted by David Bascue
On December 11th, NASA scientist Dana Backman visited, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Delight Valley Elementary. He presented on the history and future direction of space exploration including an exciting new mission currently in development at the nation's space agency.
The SOFIA project will employ a converted Boeing 747SP with an 8.2-foot diameter telescope to help astronomers learn more about the birth of stars, the formation of planetary systems and other space-related mysteries. From its operating altitude at or above 41,000 feet, SOFIA will avoid more than 99% of the obscuring water vapor of earth's atmosphere, enabling it to make observations that are impossible for even the largest ground-based telescopes.
Judging from the rapt attention and quantity of questions from our intrepid students, the interest and imagination of Delight Valley's potential future astronomers and space explorers was certainly captured. Questions addressed to Mr. Backman ranged from "How do you become an astronaut?" to "Was the Moonwalk invented on the moon?" (There's one in every crowd!)
Following the assembly, 4th grader Haley Winters commented that she really wants to learn more about space and that she thinks she just might be interested in someday becoming an astronaut. Fifth grader Jordan Cooper, who has long desired to become an inventor, was fascinated at the prospect of conducting experiments in the gravity-free environment of space. Jordan commented that he was very interested in what he learned about inventions coming out of space laboratories designed to assist people with physical disabilities.
Of particular interest to many students, Mr. Backman announced that starting in 2010, NASA would be accepting applications not only from scientists, but from teachers who are interested in being members of future SOFIA flight crews. They couldn't help but notice that 3rd/4th grade teacher, Laurie Melendy, requested and received one of these application forms at the end of the assembly. Delight Valley Mustang in space? Upon further inquiry regarding her intentions to apply, Mrs Melendy responded, "Perhaps..."
A special thanks to Pete Barrell and the City of Cottage Grove for their sponsorship of Visions of the Universe. Pete was instrumental in making sure that such inspiring scientists were accessible to the students in our schools. Bohemia and Dorena also hosted Dana Backman at their school.
"What's Right in South Lane School District . . ." is a district communication from the Superintendent's office that highlights great things that are happening throughout the district. If you have ideas to share with the district about the great things that are going on, please send your information in an e-mail to Julie at jdepauw@lane.k12.or.us