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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

After School Matters Space & Astronomy Spring Preview two week class in Session.
29 Jan - 08 Feb 2024

In between our regular full term Astronomy classes, ASM offers a two week Immersion opportunity for teens who would like a sample of what we discuss in class. In this brief offering, we explore the difficulties of exploring space - some natural, mechanical and even manmade. We will explore how do you get a human into space...and what about those that wanted to go, but could not due to gender, race or orientation.

We will learn who really discovered the Planet Uranus, how the Mercury 13 women got the shaft, dive into the Astronaut Jose Hernandez story of determination and view the fine movie "Hidden Figures" and the barriers women of color had at NASA.

This is a very popular class and many apply for my full term class for Spring, Summer and Fall, with hundreds of teens from Chicago eager to earn a paid position, via essay and interview.

We have two weeks of active discussion and activities with a fine assembled crew of young minds.

Excelsior!

Astro Joe

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

2nd day of Class in Biases in Space Exploration
30 January 2024

We are already getting to know each other after first day of shyness and having laughs.

We start with the American space program from the early 1960's and the one man Mercury missions and going into Gemini & Apollo, but discuss why no women or people of color were involved. The Space Shuttle program offered the first opportunity for women, people of color and sexual orientation to actively participate in the exploration of space ...and we track at what mission these vanguard events took place.

Students in teams, compiled a specific subject biases in becoming an astronaut in eras past or current, such as mental/emotional stability, physical disadvantages or outright sexism/racism. What were the criteria and qualifications to be considered to the Astronaut corps. With great discussion, personal experiences and insights, the crew had a fluid time in shared thoughts.

So much fun in our class discussion...and it's only our 2nd class!

More to come.

Astro Joe 

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

End of our 1st week of "Biases in Space Exploration"

We have completed our first week of exploring how difficult some had encountered in their desire to explore space. We concentrated on the the early NASA years and a great opportunity to view "Hidden Figures" together. We stopped the movie during important scene and plot developments, with excellent group discussions and insights...

I also introduced a "Eular's Disk", something that I will utilize in future Astronomy classes to demonstrate the conservation of energy, angular momentum, friction and other related physics...

My students were in complete silence as the disk continued to spin for close to three minutes...a a solid addition to my teaching tools.

We have one more week to enjoy in this brief taste into astronomy for interested teens...the only fully dedicated Space & Astronomy program in the city. One more week of class, a short break, then our Full Term Astronomy Program starts. Let's get your Astro Teen involved in this popular unique and only offering in the city.

Go here and select "Astronomy"
www.afterschoolmatters.org

Teens are required to submit a short essay and clinch a interview.

Ain't Space & Astronomy a blast?

Excelsior!

Astro Joe