By Bonnie Taylor, STEM Academy Technology Teacher
As educators prepare to end the 2020-2021 school year, one filled with much unpredictability, we need to think ahead. This year was a barrage of adjustments, modifications, and pivots like nothing ever seen before. We all felt the burn and had to demonstrate our flexibility and adaptability, while remaining professional.
We did just that!
We survived, and many of us grew and learned new ways to present and teach, which is nothing short of admirable.
Bring in NASA
STEM Academy staff with administration support developed two virtual student assemblies hosted with a NASA scientist and engineer. Demonstrating the schools dedication to promoting and enriching curriculum in science, technology, engineering and math.
Dr. Bernard Harris
The first student assembly was held on November 18th with Dr. Bernard Harris titled Living the Dream. Dr. Harris, a former NASA scientist and astronaut is a role model for today’s youth. As a medical doctor who trained at the world renowned Mayo Clinic, Dr. Harris is a pilot, entrepreneur and flight surgeon whose mission is to empower youth and communities to pursue their dreams.
At the assembly, students learned the effects of an in-flight space mission on the human body. Attendees were surprised to learn that without gravity astronauts experience bone and muscle deterioration. Astronauts must regularly exercise in order to avoid muscle atrophy. Dr. Harris informed us that astronauts are expected, “to exercise one to hours a day to condition their bodies while in space.” STEM students were also intrigued to hear that space exploration has a negative impact on astronauts’ vision. Due to the increased pressure on the backs of the eyeballs, and affecting their shape and slightly crushing the optic nerve, the long term effects have yet to be determined.
Overall, it was an extremely informative assembly that was streamed via Facebook Live to give all of STEM Academy’s community stakeholders the opportunity to view the presentation and hear the student’s questions.
Dr. Rachel Kronyak
East Orange STEM Academy hosted its second NASA presentation on Monday, April 26th by welcoming Dr. Rachel Kronyak;a Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Kronyak’s job revolves around operating rover missions on Mars. She is currently involved in two Mars rover missions: The Curiosity rover which has been on Mars since 2012 and the Perseverance rover, launched in July of 2020 which successfully landed in February 2021. Dr. Kronyak helps make decisions about what the rover is going to do, where to drive, what to take photos of, and what to sample. Dr. Kronyak relayed that she enjoyed teamwork-oriented jobs, which is why jobs in mission operations have always appealed to her. Her advice to young, aspiring scientists was “ If you find something that truly inspires you, pursue it! Meet new people, ask questions, and never stop exploring!”
Students were actively engaged through the live chat while learning about the Jezero crater, the amount of countries that are also collaborating on the Perseverance expedition, and the drone sidekick known as Ingenuity,
The assembly ended with a ten minute question and answer session with STEM students asking Dr. Kronyak questions live.
STEM Academy succeeds on how to shift the pendulum towards opportunities that should be shared.
We tap into our resources, and step outside comfort zones, for the sake of learning for all. Every student needs some sort of differentiation in the classroom.
Last but not least together we achieve more!
Established in 2011, East Orange STEM Academy offers a highly-focused, rigorous program in grades 6-12, for learners who have a strong desire to enter careers in STEM fields. Nationally ranked as a New Jersey Top 100 school by U.S. News and World Report, the school is also recognized by the College Board AP® for female diversity in Computer Science.