Local Educators Attend NASA Shuttle Launch And Workshops
Ten Middle Tennessee educators traveled to Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., to attend NASA educational workshops and see the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour as guests of U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.
The group of educators was comprised of:
• Donna Golden, Charles “Chick” Knitter and Barbara Sales of Hobgood NASA Explorer School;
• Norma Lewis of Cannon County High School;
• Ronnie Nixon of Greenbrier High School;
• Allen Robnett of Gallatin High School;
• Vickie See of Watertown Elementary School;
• Joann Shriner of Upperman High School;
• Marcia Spurlock of Avery Trace Middle School; and
• Shields Templeton of Homer Pittard Campus School
Gordon worked with NASA officials to develop an itinerary to help the educators share the experience with their students. While at Kennedy Space Center, the teachers participated in workshops to help spark students’ interest in rocketry and in technology used by astronauts, such as robotic arms.
After the workshops, the teachers stayed up until the early morning hours on Tuesday to attend a midnight pre-launch briefing and see a rare night launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, which lit up the sky before disappearing above the clouds.
After the successful launch, the group had the opportunity to join other VIP guests for beans and cornbread, a tradition that dates back to the first successful shuttle launch.
“I hope this experience will help these teachers inspire their students and generate excitement about careers in math, science and other technical fields,” said Gordon. “When you ask astronauts, engineers and other scientists about what inspired them to enter their fields, they will often tell you a teacher sparked their interest.”
As chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, Gordon has placed a priority on strengthening K-12 math and science education. The issue was a key component of the congressman’s America COMPETES Act, which aims to keep the United States competitive in today’s global marketplace. The bill, also championed by Sen. Lamar Alexander, became law last year.
