SMV Ponderings

 

Long-Distance Field Trip 

Last month, 8th grade students at St. Mary's Visitation became part of a NASA research project as they took over the controls of a NASA radio telescope dish located in California's Mojave Desert - without ever leaving their own classroom here in Elm Grove.

Scientists in California handed over mission control of the 34-meter (110 foot) dish, nine-story tall, 850,000 pound NASA Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) and interacted with the students as they gathered the data.  Students looked at the variability of radio emissions powered by enormous black holes in distant quasars.  They learned some basics about radio telescopes and the principles of radio astronomy. They calibrated the antenna, directed it to targets in the sky and collected data to share with NASA/JPL scientists.  After the session, they Skyped with one of the scientists and discussed their findings.   

This hands-on, practical experience enabled students to contribute to an ongoing NASA project as part of their 12 week unit on astronomy.  In addition to this experience, students also directed a camera on the International Space Station to take pictures of their home town, created an edible space craft, and had a presentation from an SMV alumni who is currently working for NASA in Montana.