[meteorite-list] Students Save Earth From Asteroid in Space Foundation Virtual Lab

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Oct 8 21:15:55 2006
Message-ID: <200610090115.SAA04811_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://news.spacefoundation.org/printable.cfm?releaseid=1911D92F-C675-47C1-AF067B503010DFCF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Students save Earth from asteroid in Space Foundation virtual lab
Space Foundation
October 5, 2006

Contact:
Stephanie Fibbs
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
719-576-8000 stephanie_at_spacefoundation.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 5, 2006) This week the Space Foundation
debuted "Asteroid Challenge, Target: Earth," a virtual lab and video
science education program featuring the real asteroid Apophis. Third
grade students from Manitou Springs Elementary School in Colorado were
the first class nationwide to participate in this interactive science
program and use scientific methods in a virtual lab to save our planet
from destruction by Apophis, now on a path that could bring it
dangerously close to colliding with Earth in 2036.

The release of the lab follows the Oct. 3 premiere of NOVA scienceNow on
PBS, which also addressed near-Earth asteroids, including Apophis. Dr.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is both the host of NOVA scienceNow and featured in
"Asteroid Challenge, Target: Earth." Tyson is a Space Foundation board
member, astrophysicist, and director of the Hayden Planetarium in the
Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural
History in New York City.

"Scientists tell us the asteroid Apophis could pose a real threat to
Earth," said Space Foundation Senior Vice President of Education and
Workforce Development Dr. Patricia Arnold. "'Asteroid Challenge, Target:
Earth' engages the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, and
engineers who will be responsible for developing and implementing an
effective solution to this real life situation and problem. This virtual
lab is an educational and fun program that has relevance to students
while improving their science and math skills."

Using the virtual lab, students study asteroid composition and orbital
mechanics and conduct virtual experiments to determine the trajectory of
Apophis and how to divert it away from Earth's orbit, choosing from
among such options as exploding it, attaching a solar sail to push it
away, and using a gravitational tugboat method to pull it out of harm's
way. Manitou Springs Elementary School third grade teacher and Space
Foundation Teacher Liaison Christi Marquardt led her class in the
nationwide debut of this interactive science program Wednesday, Oct 4.

Created in collaboration with SpaceClass, the virtual lab uses the
excitement of space to teach students essential concepts of science and
math. "Asteroid Challenge, Target: Earth" is available online at
http://Education.SpaceFoundation.org/Apophis.

The Space Foundation has trained more than 40,000 teachers since 1986
through its Summer Institute graduate courses and national conferences.
In addition, the Space Foundation fosters educational space endeavors by
implementing its revolutionary Integrated Science Literacy Model;
offering two distinct Master's in Space Studies Degrees in conjunction
with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Regis
University; sponsoring a Teacher Liaison program; annually conducting
the Space Career Fair; managing the onsite NASA Educational Resource
Center; and offering a free online lesson bank for educators.

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space
Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances
civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and inspires,
enables, and propels tomorrow's explorers. The Space Foundation has
offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. Along with
partnering organizations, the Space Foundation conducts Strategic Space
and Defense, 10-12 Oct. 2006 in Omaha, Neb. The Space Foundation's
signature event, the National Space Symposium, is scheduled for April
9-12, 2007, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. For more
information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org
<http://www.SpaceFoundation.org>.

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Received on Sun 08 Oct 2006 09:15:47 PM PDT