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Local educators tour NASA aircraft

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Educators from the Antelope Valley, Bakersfield and Los Angeles toured NASA facilities Friday as part of NASA Airborne Science Mission media day at Dryden.
Educators from the Antelope Valley, Bakersfield and Los Angeles toured NASA facilities Friday as part of NASA’s Airborne Science Mission media day at Dryden.

PALMDALE – Local educators got a behind-the-scenes look at several active Earth science missions Friday, as part of an outreach hosted by NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center.

Educators had the opportunity to meet with mission scientists, view support equipment and tour research aircraft at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale and at Dryden’s main campus on Edwards Air Force Base.

Palmdale teacher Brian Tanner stands in front of a DC-8 aircraft.
Palmdale teacher Brian Tanner stands in front of a DC-8 aircraft.

“We’re hoping to get teachers excited and interested in NASA’s Airborne Science Program,” said Emily Schaller, Outreach and Education Coordinator.

Teachers are hoping to get students excited, as well. Cactus Intermediate School teacher Brian Tanner said many of his students were unaware of the milestones in the aerospace industry that have occurred right here in the Antelope Valley.

“They had no idea, when they saw the [Endeavour] shuttle fly over, that we designed that stuff here, that this is what we do in the Antelope Valley,” Tanner said.

“They don’t have any knowledge outside of their homes,” said Ocotillo Elementary School teacher Tammy Gardner. “I want to find a way to bring that back into the classroom.”

NASA’s website features an Education Materials Finder, which helps teachers locate resources that can be used in the classroom at any grade level.  To learn more, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html.

To learn more about NASA’s Earth Science Project missions, visit http://espo.nasa.gov/.

Educators toured the inside of NASA's DC-8 aircraft.
Educators toured the inside of NASA’s DC-8 aircraft.
The multi-year DISCOVER-AQ campaign will fly NASA's P3B airplane over California's San Joaquin Valley to measure air pollution this winter. Teachers got a look inside Friday.
The multi-year DISCOVER-AQ campaign will fly NASA’s P3B airplane over California’s San Joaquin Valley to measure air pollution this winter. Teachers got a look inside Friday.
Teachers got to witness a NASA scientist analyzing data inside the P3B.
Teachers got to witness a NASA scientist analyzing data inside the P3B.
NASA pilot Stuart Broce poses in front of a ER-2 Chase Vehicle.
NASA pilot Stuart Broce poses in front of the ER-2 Chase Vehicle.
Broce said there are many technical aspects to his job, but most people just want to know how he relieves himself during a long flight. He pointed to the drain valve that connects to his space suit, which is routed to a bucket under the seat.
Broce said there are many technical aspects to his job, but most people just want to know one thing: How does he relieve himself during a long flight? He pointed to the drain valve that connects to his pressurized suit, which is then routed to a bucket under the seat.
ER-2 Stuart Broce wears this pressurized suit during flights.
ER-2 pilot Stuart Broce wears this pressurized suit during flights.
Randy Albertson, deputy director for NASA's Airborne Science Program.
Randy Albertson, deputy director for NASA’s Airborne Science Program.

1 comment for "Local educators tour NASA aircraft"

  1. We are priviledged to have this world class operation in Palmdale that continues to give back to our community on a regular basis. Who could ask for more from NASA.