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Student Created Experiment to be Conducted in Space:
iLEAD goes into the Cosmos.
By Kathleen Fredette and Matt Watson
We can all look back and pinpoint pivotal experiences that impact, shape and move us along.
Imagine yourself being asked to present your ideas in front of professionals, specialists, "do-ers." Then further picture this taking place in one of the most visited museums on the planet, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, in Washington, D.C. Also note that the gallery remains open to the public so that the presentations can be part of the public visitors' experience. Got that?
This is exactly wha
t two of our iLEAD teams did at the end of July.
How did THAT happen? And what does it mean for those young people, their families, facilitators and iLEAD?
The SSEP (Student Spaceflight Experiment Program) conference provides a formal gathering place where students present on their experiment designs, and those teams that flew experiments to the International Space Station report results.
SSEP offers the opportunity for learners the ability to be real scientists and engineers. The program provides seamless integration across STEAM disciplines through an authentic, high-visibility research experience-an approach that embraces the Next Generation Science Standards. Learners develop experiments within the constraints of a real-deal microgravity mini lab with the intent to test the difference of how something behaves on earth (in gravity) vs. in space (microgravity, like on the ISS.)
Two of our teams chose to rise to this challenge, as part of iLEAD's inaugural participation in SSEP, Mission 10 to International Space Station. SCVi Upper School's team co-principal investigators, Kai Turner, Alec Lewis, and Dustin Fields, and the Innovation Studios (AV) team, co-principal investigators Cleopatra Casillas, Shelby Cooper, and collaborator Austin Chapa.
They represented us with style, class, poise, wearing iLEAD royal blue, collared shirts. We were proud of them and proud to be part of a learning community that is open to a program like SSEP. Our young people shared their ideas through presentations they created, while the audience -- other students, parents, professionals, museum visitors -- listened, smiled and clapped.
Each of the teams that presented also took part as other teams from around the country presented their experiments. Each presentation was followed by questions from the group, which included high school and college researchers and their families, as well as top-level scientists from the program, including the SSEP program director, Dr. Jeff Goldstein. This format provided our learners with both the challenge of defending their own proposals in an extremely rigorous environment as well the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers and experts on a national scale.
This type of project is the embodiment of the type of project-based learning experience that we seek to provide for our learners. The learning is authentic, as they are collaborating with the international space community to develop solutions to the difficulties that space exploration poses. And...our learners took away the pride and satisfaction that is often the result of sustaining a complex project over an extended period of time through hard work, attention to detail, and grit.
Many family members joined us, and a sprinkling of iLEAD staff. It was a joyous experience and we were proud to present Dr. Goldstein with an iLEAD fabric mission patch (designed by Chloe Williams of iLEAD Lancaster) that represents us all!
What does this communicate to our young people?
You matter. Your ideas are worthy of consideration. You can do really challenging, hard stuff.
These are the kinds of experiences that can forever alter how we see ourselves.
Our brains have that beautiful ability to transfer one experience to another. It goes something like this: I recognize how challenging, difficult, scary the thing I just did was. I see myself moving through it, gaining confidence, experience, facing my fears. Then when the next challenge comes (and they will), I can remind myself...if that, then this.
It has the ability to propel us forward.
So buckle your safety belts, iLEAD learners, facilitators, families and staff! We're about to embark on SSEP Mission 11 to International Space Station and you're all invited!
Kathleen Fredette is iLEAD's director of STEAM initiatives. Matt Watson, from the iLEAD Maker School Networks, works to support our directors in their roles.
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