District News

Technology classroom receives part of Space Shuttle

 

January, 2011

 

When Canajoharie Middle School technology teacher Gregory Pitonza saw a chance to get a part of the Space Shuttle for his classroom, he jumped on it.

As the Space Shuttle Program nears its end, NASA is looking for ways to preserve its history by offering 7,000 shuttle heat shield tiles to schools and universities. Although NASA values them at around $1,000, schools only have to pay the shipping fee of $23.40.

Dr. Pitonza – who teaches multiple space-inspired lessons – plans to display the lightweight tile in his classroom.

“It’s amazing to get a piece of the shuttle. Hopefully it impresses the students and sparks an interest in technology,” he said. “If this gets them interested in math and science, then that’s great.”

Dr. Pitonza said the tile complements the variety of space-related lessons he teaches, such as the recent one centered on thermal protection systems. In the lesson, seventh grade students simulated protecting a spacecraft from the thousands of degrees produced during re-entry into the Earths’ atmosphere. In the activity, students received a small piece of foil and two paper clips to design a shield to protect a small machine screw from the heat of a propane torch.

“We’ve done a lot of things with space technology. When we did this activity, it was all about solving problems with limited resources,” Dr. Pitonza said. “The study of space motivates students and challenges them.”

Other lessons reinforce others skills.

“Exercises like constellation mapping uses math skills and coordinate geometry and rocket history teach them how it all began,” He said.