5 Jackson teachers to perform experiments on NASA flight

They filled out a 23-page application, outlined the experiments and modified their scientific equipment. Now, at the end of this month, five Jackson High School science teachers will work in a zero-gravity environment.

"It's all mental preparation. You're talking to a guy who will hardly ride a roller coaster," said Bryan Doyen, a chemistry teacher. "We know our bodies will let us do it."

The teachers applied and were selected by NASA and the National Science Teachers Association to participate in microgravity experiments. Doyen, Dan Brown, Jean Gibbs, Marcus House and Andy Helle will travel to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on July 29. Twelve teams of teachers from across the country were selected to participate in the program.

The group will conduct two experiments during a microgravity flight over the Gulf of Mexico. Helle said the teachers solicited hypotheses from their students beforehand. One of the lessons they will take back to the classroom is the importance of scientific method, he said.

"There's way, way more planning and controls than the actual experiment takes," said Helle, a physiology teacher.

Doyen said the group will fly in a modified aircraft without windows that will take a flight path in the shape of a parabola. During the flight they will experience low and high levels of gravity.

During 17- to 20-second windows of low gravity, the teachers will test the conditions' effect on a vortex, a tornado simulated in a bottle.

In what Helle calls "the microbial version of file sharing" the group will also test how bacteria absorbs DNA in the different environments, an experiment that will test the possibility of life on other planets.

Doyen said one of the goals of the project is to spur scientific inquiry.

"I think a big part of it is just getting students used to asking that question, 'What if?'" he said.

Because the participants all teach different sciences, Helle said the project is helping them reach beyond the classroom to communicate and collaborate more.

"Teaching can be such an isolating profession," he said.

The district is using professional development money to fund the teachers flight to Houston and lodging to participate in the program. Helle said the group is trying to raise about $5,000 to reimburse the district.

"We want that to cost them as little as possible," he said.

Donations can be made to JHS Microgravity Research Team at Montgomery Bank.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

315 S. Missouri St., Jackson, MO