On January 28,1986 the unthinkable happened. The Space
Shuttle Challenger with America’s first Teacher in Space aboard exploded 73
seconds after takeoff. Millions of school children across the country were
watching the event on TV in their classrooms when the tragedy occurred.
Teachers and administrators were speechless and an entire nation horrified. How
do you explain that space explorers are pioneers and subject to this high risks
of space exploration? How do you
encourage would-be future astronauts to not give up their dream?
Now, thirty years later, the US space program is practically
non-existent but we should not hesitate to use this teachable moment to talk
about the importance of space travel, the dangers of being a pioneer and the
adventurous spirit that has made America into a great nation.
For those of you in the Central Florida area, I highly
encourage you and your students to visit the Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa
Beach. This museum boasts fabulous hands on programs for school students,
unbelievable I-Max and three-D films and sometimes the opportunity to have
lunch with an astronaut. This interactive museum traces the history of
America’s space program and pays fitting tribute to the victims of the
Challenger disaster. Be sure to also visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame while you
are there. (https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com)
c.2016 J. Margolis
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