Synthesis Unit: Space – Where Are We Going?
The 2013 Synthesis Unit—Space: Where Are We Going?—was an exhilarating experience for Anacapa’s students and faculty alike. Due to the energetic brainstorming and planning by math and science teachers under the direction of Levi Maaia, students and faculty had the opportunity to hear many experts in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, space technology, and space exploration.
NASA astronaut Richard Linnehan electrified the students with stories and information about his various missions in space. A veteran of four Space Shuttle flights, he has spent more than 58 days in orbit, including six Extra Vehicular Activities (EVAs or “spacewalks”), one of which involved a servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition to our private, on-campus session, Anacapa also hosted a public appearance by Dr. Linnehan at the Santa Barbara Public Library one evening during the Synthesis Unit.
To provide students with an interactive complement to the lectures, Anacapa had its own stargazing party presented by Chuck McPartlin, Outreach Officer of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit. The school also toured Vandenberg Air Force Base to see the facilities there.
In May, students and faculty of Anacapa School had the rare opportunity of making contact via amateur radio with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Anacapa was chosen by NASA to participate in the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, a cooperative venture between NASA and other international space agencies that coordinates scheduled radio contacts between astronauts aboard the ISS and schools. The 10-minute live forum bounced between Anacapa students and Astronaut Chris Cassidy as the space station’s orbit passes over Southern California on a date to be determined by NASA. View a video of the radio contact online.
In June, the school visited the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center during the end-of-the-year trip to Los Angeles.
Throughout the Synthesis Unit, students have several tasks they must complete and are graded on. Before the Unit began, students took a brief survey about their interest in space science. During the lectures, the students took notes and asked questions of the speakers. As a follow-up to the lecture portion of the Unit, students have teamed up to research many aspects of space science and history.