When thinking about NASA education programs, the importance of
science and math may likely be your first thoughts; but for
some Huntsville (AL) middle school students participating in the
NASA education video series called "NASA CONNECT," those thoughts
could change as they set their sights on Hollywood's silver screen
or the New York stage.
On May 13, students from Randolph School and Williams Technology
Middle School in Huntsville will gather for a sneak preview of a
30-minute production - in which they are the "stars" - of NASA
CONNECT. Its goal: to enhance the teaching of math, science and
technology to middle school students. The award-winning series,
seen by more than 7 million students in over 7,600 schools, airs
across the country on PBS affiliates, cable access stations and
NASA TV.
The segment with Huntsville "actors," premiering nationwide May
15, will help viewers understand Sir Isaac Newton's first, second
and third laws of gravity and how they relate to NASA's efforts in
developing the next generation of space transportation. Like all
the CONNECT segments, the episode is accompanied by a Web-based
educator's guide describing hands-on and Web activities to
supplement its themes.
"NASA CONNECT gives teachers and students hands-on
lessons to apply what they are learning in the classroom," said
Tammy Rowan, an education specialist at NASA's Marshall Space
Flight Center in Huntsville. "It involves the student in a total
learning experience that enhances the student's ability to think
critically. The hands-on learning enables students to apply not
only what they have learned, but more importantly, the process of
learning, to various life situations."
In the fall 2002, Williams math teacher Vicki Smith, who had
previously worked with the Marshall Center's education department
and the NASA CONNECT series, was chosen to participate in the
segment on Newton's laws of gravity. "The idea for the segment
parallels what scientists are working on at Marshall," said Smith,
"so it seemed an appropriate thing for schools in Huntsville to be
part of." NASA CONNECT producers then decided to feature
Smith's students in the segment - students to whom she'd taught
other NASA CONNECT lessons.
When production of the taped segment began last fall, Smith's
students played "themselves" during filming of their science
class.