A group of Fairport High School teachers will have the opportunity to test their students’ science experiment in different gravity conditions.
The teachers aren’t quite going into space; they are riding on a modified airplane that will create the gravity conditions astronauts find in space.
For the first time, NASA has invited high school teachers across the country to submit proposed experiments for its Reduced Gravity Education Program, and Fairport’s proposal was accepted. Teachers Eugene Gordon, Beth Burns, Donna Himmelberg, Andrew Johnson and Christopher Stahl are leaving for Houston July 29.
“I’m excited about going and being weightless; it’s not an opportunity you get to do every day,” Burns said. “I’m a little nervous about being weightless as well, but I think it’s a great opportunity to get the kids excited about science.”
When the teachers found out about the NASA program, they asked students for ideas. The experiment the teachers submitted is the product of students — finding out the effect hyper gravity and reduced gravity have on simple batteries.
“It was a fabulous opportunity for the kids to do real-world science,” Burns said. “It really got my AP students thinking outside of the box and not being restricted to a lab.”
The experiment also has relevance to space travel.
“The whole point is, NASA does these experiments for other people, so they are all supposed to be relevant to what they do,” Gordon said. “Batteries are key for space travel; they need to have batteries to run everything electrical.”
The plane, known as the vomit comet, alternately climbs and dives to create the gravity situations. It’s used to train astronauts and was also used to film scenes in the movie
“Apollo 13.” Because of the motion, the teachers needed to design a container for the experiment to keep it in place.
The trip isn’t all work, though: At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour flight, the teachers will get the chance to play and can bring toys or food like M&M’s and popcorn.
The experiment will have an impact on Fairport students this year as well as in years to come.
“It will recur throughout the year in a classroom setting,” Himmelberg said. “That’s one of the things I’m excited about.”
Additionally, the teachers will present the data at state and national teachers conferences.
As an incoming junior, Valerie Baretsky is one of those students who will benefit from the teachers’ experience next year.
“It’s just amazing to know that they aren’t just teaching in a classroom,” Baretsky said.
“They’re actually going out and doing real-world experiences.”
