Welcome to Civil Air Patrol Texas Wing – Aerospace Education Newsletter– Spring 2015

Educators Soar into the Future by: Capt Audrey Morrow

SKYWARD

HOUSTON – On Feb. 5 through 7, 2015, a three day Space Exploration Educators’ 21st Annual Conference (SEEC) was held in the Houston area for educators ranging from grades Kindergarten through 12. Participating teachers came from different parts of the country as well as the Houston area. The program originated in 1994 through the efforts of Susan Mallett of Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters. It is funded by Civil Air Patrol. The programs goal is to instill in teachers, a love of aviation and space exploration. Their enthusiasm is intended to awaken the young minds of their students, creating a desire to explore and to learn more about the space program and aviation. Debbie Dahl, Aerospace Education Director with Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters, having 27 years of experience as an educator, arranged and accompanied teachers through the various events. She has enjoyed doing this for the past eight years. “I love hearing their comments and sharing in their excitement. Participating in this conference is my favorite activity.” Each group had classroom programs lead by such professionals as Jerry L. Ross, Retired USAF Colonel and former NASA Astronaut. Some of the topics were, Connecting Classroom Technology to the Real World, and Presenting the International Space Station to Kindergarten through Grade 12. All participants received an in-depth tour of the NASA facility. They met and enjoyed lunch with astronauts. Forty-Four teachers signed on as new Civil Air Patrol members. Mission No. 15-C-6450 was assigned to this event. Project Officer, Lt. Col. Steven Hudson, Texas Wing Vice-Commander, and Maj. Stuart Hagedorn, Texas Wing External Aerospace Education Officer for Teachers’ Flight Program, coordinated the events at Ellington Field. Airborne Operations Branch Director, Maj. Tony Martin, Group IV Flight Operations Officer and former T-38 pilot, shuttled groups from NASA to Ellington Field, returning them to their hotels at the end of the day.

LT. Col. Levent Vural, Texas Wing Director of Aerospace Education gave opening remarks and lead discussions particularly on topics pertaining to Civil Air Patrol’s involvement in this conference. He explained the many positions available to CAP members and how they contribute to the community at large. Lt. Col. Vural accompanied each group through their tours. Educators were led to a hangar housing two T-38 Talon supersonic jets. Bill Ehrenstrom of maintenance explained the aircraft’s role in the Air National Guard. Scott Reagan, a flight instructor, explained why this plane is used in training astronauts. He flew a T-38 on a photo surveillance flight when the space shuttle Endeavor made its final flight to its new home in New York. Romoma Stueckrad of Denver, has some flying experience and was particularly interested in viewing the T-38 cockpit with Bill Ehrenstrom. She is eager to resume flying.

Group of educators pose in front of MQ-1B, flanked by Debbie Dahl on left and Ginny Smith on right.

Lisa Brown, Capt Editor

A. Levent Vural, LtCol. Director of Aerospace Education Texas Wing, CAP

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62866458@N00/14264756448">C-130J Hercules landing Lielvarde</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>

MSgt. Sean Cowher and MSgt Clayton Lemons took the group into the hangar housing the Predator MQ-1B UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or RPA (remotely piloted aircraft). MSgt Cowher explained, “We do not use the term drone. It has a menacing and threatening sound to it.” He explained that this model was used for photographic reconnaissance. It stores no memory, should it be captured. After viewing the MQ-1B, the group was lead to three remote control simulators and took turns directing a UAV in flight. Julie Torrev of El Paso, Texas, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The last session on Saturday morning was opened by Texas Wing Commander, Colonel, Brooks Cima. She explained the wonderful opportunities available in Civil Air Patrol, and the satisfaction of being part of an organization dedicated to homeland security and community service. The highlight of the educators’ tour of Ellington Field was a flight in a Civil Air Patrol aircraft. Flights were conducted on Friday and on Saturday. Four aircraft were available, two Gippsland GA-08s, a Cessna 172 and a Cessna 182. Pilots took each flight crew to their assigned aircraft to show them how the movements of the ailerons, elevator and rudder affected flight.

Jennifer Alvarez was the star of the day. She lives locally. Her husband was in Galveston Bay fishing at the time of her flight. She had a fear of flying that bordered on hysteria. Her flight in the GA-08, dispelled that fear. Pilot, Major Stuart Hagedorn let her take the controls for a short time. She was ecstatic and was able to spot their fishing boat in the bay. Major Stuart Hagedorn presented her with a Texas Wing Flight Challenge coin. It is evident that Civil Air Patrol’s role in this event inspired teachers to return to their classrooms filled with enthusiasm and anxious to relate accounts of their experiences with the space program and the feeling of flight.

Romona Stueckrad views instrument panel with Bill Ehrenstrom at controls.

Debbie Dahl CAPNHQ, Lt. Col Levent Vural, TXWG and Ginny Smith CAPNHQ

Jeanine Roseberry of Sheboygan, Wis. teaches a kindergarten class and is the Scientific Technological Engineering Math (STEM) instructor for her school. Her flight was in a GA-08. “It was so much fun. It was just a wonderful experience,” she exclaimed on her return.

Julia Torrev of El Paso, Texas enjoys flight simulator.

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Important AE News Eligible students include freshmen, sophomores and juniors at the undergraduate level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals. The scholarship includes 75% of tuition up to $9,000 academic scholarship, based on tuition amount, and $6,000 for a summer internship. Applications are due March 31, 2015.Applications should be submitted through the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative at http://intern.nasa.gov. Applicants should be sure to select “scholarship” for the type of application.  Questions about the 2015 Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship opportunity should be emailed to NASA.ASP2015@nasaprs.com.  

2015 NASA Office of Education -- Aeronautics Undergraduate

Scholarship NASA's Office of Education is accepting applications for the for the Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship, or AUS, program. The Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship is for individuals pursuing or planning to pursue undergraduate studies leading to an Associate’s or a Bachelor's degree in areas related to aeronautics. These scholarships are directed toward enhancing the state of aeronautics for the nation, transforming the nation's air transportation system, and developing the knowledge, tools, and technologies to support future air and space vehicles.    

New SpaceMath@NASA Resources Available

Explore behind-the-scenes mathematics that occurs when scientists make discoveries and engineers solve technical problems in spacecraft design and spaceflight. Each module uses press releases to spark student interest, then standards-based mathematics and science skills are explored that relate to the missions discussed. New modules are now available that focus on the SAGE III stratospheric aerosol mission and the JPL InSight Mars Lander mission to be launched in 2016. The multimedia modules follow the 5E education approach.The SAGE III stratospheric aerosol mission modules are available at http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/SAGEIII/SAGEIII.html.The JPL InSight Mars Lander mission modules are available at http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/Mars.html.Questions about these resources should be directed to Dr. Sten Odenwald at sten.f.odenwald@nasa.gov. Sun-Earth Days 2015: New Discoveries -- One Mission at a Time Join NASA in celebrating Sun-Earth Days with a series of programs and events that occur throughout the year. This year's theme, “New Discoveries -- One Mission at a Time,” invites participants to explore the science and new discoveries uncovered by the many NASA missions exploring our solar system.  This year’s celebration kicks off with the launch of the much-anticipated Magnetospheric Multi Scale mission. MMS will explore Earth’s magnetosphere and answer some vexing questions about how magnetic field lines reconnect. Watch the launch and learn more about MMS during a live NASA EDGE webcast on March 12, 2015.  For more information, educational resources and social media connections, visit the Sun-Earth Days website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov.  Questions about Sun-Earth Days events should be emailed to sunearthday@gmail.com.  

What’s Up? Skywatch

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May  5-­‐6  –  Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower – this shower is composed mainly of dusty remnants of Halley’s Comet. It will peak on these days with up to 30 sightings per hour. Unfortunatley, the full moon will wash out all but the brightest meteors.

May  23rd  –  Saturn at Opposition – this is the best night of the year to see Saturn. It will be at its closest approach and will be reflecting plenty of sunlight. June 2nd – Strawberry Moon – This June Full Moon will travel low as it journeys from east to west . This moon mimics the path of the December sun. June 21st – Summer Solstice – The sun is at its highest point in the sky and it will be the longest day of the year. It is also the first day of summer.

 

March  20th  – A Trifecta of Celestial Events: New Moon–The new moon will not be visible because it is too close to the sun but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent the morning before, just before sunrise. Solar Eclipse– A solar eclipse will occur this same day but will miss most inhabited land as it sweeps across the North Atlantic Ocean. Spring Equinox – The sun will cross the celestial equator heading north, marking the beginning of Spring in the northern hemisphere and Autum in the southern hemisphere.

April  4th  – Total Lunar Eclipse –The moon will spend almost 10 hours in the penumbrial or umbral phase, with just under 5 min as a total eclipse. The best view will be in Australia, though it can also be viewed from anywhere in North America.

April  21th  – Lyrids meteor shower – there are 3 coments visible in the east before sunrise. Peak on this day with up to 20 meteors per hour. The best time to view will be after midnight, just after the 1st quarter moon sets.