My first experience as CAPCOM Conrad with the Flight Director. Let me start with a little background...December of 2015, my coworker (pictured above) asked if I would dress up like an engineer in Mission Control to start a space unit. For those of you who know me, it's no surprise that with absolutely no hesitation, I agreed! He rearranged his room to create a new setup and we chose NASA call signs. I, a fan of alliteration, chose CAPCOM. For those of you unfamiliar with the acronym, it stands for Capsule Communicator. It is the one person on the ground who communicates directly with the astronauts in space. A famous past CAPCOM was Deke Slayton, a Mercury 7 astronaut grounded due to a heart condition. As a teacher, I thought this was the perfect fit. On a daily basis, I take the information given to me by the state standards, administration and district guidelines and communicate this to the kiddos I am working with. You may be thinking, okay, how do I use this in my classroom? Change your classroom jobs to NASA acronyms that best fit the duties. It not only sounds awesome, but it also gives real-world context and significance. https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/F_People_Behind_the_Astronauts.html The awesome Escape Hunt Houston "Houston, We've had a Problem" Room. I would definitely recommend this amazing experience!! I had a blast with my fellow crew mates in the extremely well designed room. * Notice I'm sitting in the CAPCOMM seat :) As a member of the SEEC Crew, I have definitely felt like a CAPCOM. I have been able to go to Space Center Houston and then bring back all that I've learned to Indiana to help inspire teachers and students. I know that space exploration is a high interest topic that can be incorporated in your classroom, regardless of grade level or content area. You just have to be willing to put yourself in the mindset of Mission Control during the Apollo 13 mission. You may be trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. If there's one thing that my year in space has taught me, it's how vital everyone's unique strengths are. I'm so thankful for the awesome coworkers and crew members that I've been able to collaborate with on this journey. No one on the crew teaches the same thing in the same environment, but we are all committed to working together, helping other teachers and sharing our passion with students. When people think of NASA, they think of astronauts, but it takes a whole team to get to the moon, build a low-earth orbit ISS laboratory, send Voyager rovers to deep space and eventually send humans to Mars. There are so many Hidden Figures and Unsung Heroes to celebrate. Michael Collins was an Apollo 11 astronaut and the Columbia Command Module Pilot, but his impact is not as well known. While Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon, Collins flew around it, alone and outside radio contact. Without him, the astronauts would not have made it home. A great book for a read aloud or as a whole group or in small groups (depending on your grade level) is The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins by: Bea Uusma Schyffert. This expository non-fiction text has awesome graphics and photos too! Excerpts have been published in Pearson's Reading Street and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Storytown and there are several teaching resources available. I never thought teaching would take me where it has. I also never imagined the huge impact this year in space would have on me. I loved being asked questions about the Solar Eclipse and being able to share resources and experience that with my entire school. I know it was significant for at least one kiddo, because a student came to me and asked if we had any books about eclipses! I was ecstatic to help him find one!
I am now in a new role in a new school and loving it! I am working on updating our library to an Innovation Center. Keeping the space theme, I have labelled the doors with the space programs. Why put up a number one when you can use a Mercury mission patch? The capsule only had room for one astronaut anyway, so it's synonymous to me. I have added awesome NASA Mars posters to the walls showcasing the different skills and people needed to make the mission successful. I will co-teaching to facilitate Genius Hour and my goal is to emphasize the importance to students of finding a passion with a purpose. So, teachers, wherever you are, whatever you're teaching, share your passion! If it's space or STEAM and you want to know how to get started or build on what you already have, I would LOVE to help!! Peace, love and space exploration, CAPCOM CONRAD Signing Off
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SAFETY is the number 1 PRIORITY! Remind your students that they should NEVER look directly at the sun! Regular sunglasses will NOT completely protect your eyes. You can get solar eclipse viewing glasses, but you need to make sure they have been verified for safety. The American Astronomical Society has a list here. As an alternative to eclipse glasses, students can construct a viewer using a cereal box, aluminum foil and tape. Photo Credit: NASA In case you haven't heard, a total solar eclipse is happening on Monday August 21st! Everyone in North America will be able to see it to some degree, depending upon your location. If you aren't excited, you should be! I attended an awesome session at SEEC about how to use the solar eclipse in the classroom. I did NOT create these resources, but wanted to share them, so that you can can teach the solar eclipse in YOUR classroom!! The path of totality looks like a diagonal line from Oregon to South Carolina. If you're outside the US or a low percentage of totality, you can see a 3-D simulation by downloading the desktop or web app. The last total solar eclipse was in 1999, but the last total solar eclipse seen by the US (contiguous) was 1979.
NSTA PublicationThis has been adapted from the book Solar Science by: Denise Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi, published by the National Science Teachers Association. Bill Nye & The Totally Awesome Total Eclipse Each episode in this 4 part series is 3-4 minutes. You can also download a great activity book. Check out The Planetary Society for more. The Moon's Role in a Solar Eclipse (2:34) - NASAWhy a total Solar Eclipse is such a big deal (5:24) VoxThis video gives great background and uses scientific terminology. Whether you want to refresh your knowledge or show it to your class, it's a solid resource. Solar Eclipse of the Heart (1:45) - Warby ParkerThis parody of Bonnie Tyler's 1983 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is something your students will enjoy! If you're not sure how you can use this in your classroom, don't worry! NASA has got you covered. Regardless of your grade level or content area, this major event can be a learning opportunity for ALL of your students!!
Other Resources to provide background:
Libraries across the country are also hosting Eclipse Events. Click to find a participating library nearest you on the map. Peace, love and space exploration,
CAPCOM Conrad signing off |
AuthorApollo 13 fan. Educator. Lifelong Learner. Third generation Boilermaker. Space Exploration Enthusiast. Collaborator. Click Subscribe to stay updated!Archives
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