NASA Presents Workshop On Mcalester Campus
(Press Release 03-18-08)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Local teachers and GEAR UP staff members attended a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester.
 
    The professional development workshop was sponsored by the Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant program.
 
    Attendees started the day studying aeronautics. They made a sled kite from paper, straws, and string to demonstrate the concept of “lift” in aircraft. Next, they created model gliders from Styrofoam to demonstrate the concept of “weight” and “balance” in airplanes.
 
    The group then designed rockets including industrial strength paper rockets, rocket racers and bottle rockets. The paper rockets were then launched with an air pump and pressure chamber to demonstrate Newton’s Second Law of Motion and rocket thrust. An altitude tracking device was used to measure the height of the rocket flight. The rocket racers were designed to measure the distance a balloon–powered rocket can travel with various modifications. The final rocket—a bottle rocket—was made using a two–liter pop bottle filled with water and launched from a pressure chamber to demonstrate “center of pressure” and “center of mass.”
 
    Facing engineering design challenges, the group created a thermal protection system to demonstrate how excessive heat can affect rocket performance. They built a model thrust structure from craft sticks, glue, and cardboard to demonstrate challenges in constructing sturdy structures without excessive weight.
 
    Attendees studied solar systems, created and learned how to use sky wheels. They used string and colored beads to create a linear planet model.
 
    Participants created a robot hand, robot fingers, and completed a robot arm challenge.
 
    “There was great interaction among the cohort teachers,” said GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator Lorrie Russ. “Many of the teachers had not met prior to attending the NASA Educators Workshop but by the end of the second day, the camaraderie amongst the teachers was strong. The team learning concept that is promoted through the hands–on NASA workshop is one that can be applied to any classroom.”
 
    Attending the workshop were Lynne Balzer, Red Oak; Jamie Booth, Panola; Phillip Judkins, Talihina; Daniel Mitchell, Buffalo Valley; Tina Pack, Canadian; Judy Phillips, Whitesboro; Lori Roberts, EOSC GEAR UP Education Coordinator; Kimberli Suttles, Wilburton; and Jaclyn Ward, Crowder.
 
    Special thanks to the following business for donations for the workshop: Coca–Cola, Country Mart, Heavenly Delights Bakery, Mazzio’s, Patrons, Pepsi Cola, Starbucks, TH Rogers, and Wal–Mart.

	Area educators attending the GEAR UP sponsored NASA workshop on the McAlester campus of Eastern Oklahoma state College include from front left:  GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator Lorrie Russ; Kimberli Suttles, Wilburton; Lynne Balzer, Red Oak and GEAR UP Education Coordinator Lori Roberts. Back Row: NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri; Tina Pack, Canadian; Phillip Judkins, Talihina; Jaclyn Ward, Crowder; Jamie Booth, Panola; Judy Phillips, Whitesboro; and Daniel Mitchell, Buffalo Valley.
	Jamie Booth from Panola Public Schools and Tina Pack from Canadian Public Schools prepare to create a bottle rocket during a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.
	Judy Phillips from Whitesboro Public Schools joined local teachers and GEAR UP staff members for a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.
	Kimberli Suttles from Wilburton Public Schools prepares to launch a paper rocket during a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.
	Daniel Mitchell with Buffalo Valley Public Schools weighs his model during a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.
	Jaclyn Ward from Crowder and GEAR UP Education Coordinator Lori Roberts prepare to launch their bottle rocket during a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.
	Lynne Balzer from Red Oak Public Schools launches her bottle rocket during a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.
	Phillip Judkins from Talihina Public Schools conducts an experiment during a two day workshop at the Eastern Oklahoma State College Wanda Bass Higher Education Center presented by NASA Aerospace Education Specialist Angelo Casaburri recently in McAlester. The workshop was sponsored by Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.