Ramsay High School and
Shades Valley International Baccalaureate School — Birmingham,
Alabama
Ramsay High School students Chris and Ben probably did not know they
would have the unique opportunity to play an active role in planetary
exploration. However, that is exactly what they are doing. They have
been working side by side with top scientists in the fields of
astronomy, geology, nuclear physics, and astrophysics to explore the
geological history of Mars.
Sandra McKell, Chris and Ben are members of the
Athena Student Interns Program (ASIP) which is
giving high school students from across the nation the chance to work
with the scientists of the Mars Rover mission. Their mentor is
Professor Thomas Wdowiak of the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is an Athena Science Team
member whose specialty is the
Mössbauer Spectrometer.
Sandra states, “The Mössbauer Spectrometer is being used to
identify iron-bearing minerals on the surface of Mars. We can use this
information to determine the origin of the geological characteristics of
the area. Some of the minerals that will help us determine the history
of the martian terrain are hematite, goethite, olivine, and
magnetite.”
On a recent trip to the Jet Propulsion Lab, the Birmingham team was
immersed in Mössbauer matters. They calculated time and
temperature readings taken during the use of the Mössbauer
Spectrometer to determine the heat relationship between the inside and
the outside of the instrument. These temperature ratios will be used
should one of the two temperature monitors have difficulties. The team
also examined Mössbauer data returned from Spirit and Opportunity,
and learned that meetings are a big part of the scientific process.
They sat in on Science Assessment Meetings, and took part in a Robotics
Education Working Group videoconference.
Sandra teaches Biology, Microbiology, and Genetics in the Birmingham
City Schools. “Being a part of ASIP is probably the highlight of
my career. This has been a wonderful experience for my 2 students and
myself to work with the science team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in
Pasadena, California. I have learned so much about Mars and
spectroscopy, even though this is not a part of my teaching experience.
My students have done so much research in preparation for their work at
JPL and it has been an honor to work along with them.”
Sandra is married and has two children. She has taught science for the
past 26 years and says she has seen teaching methods change dramatically
in that time. Her students perform DNA fingerprinting, protein and DNA
electrophoresis, cross Drosophila fruit flies, genetically transform
bacteria, and purify proteins. “Science is probably one of the
most exciting courses to teach. Students enter your room with the
eagerness to learn through a wide array of hands on laboratory
experiences.”
Chris, a junior at Ramsay High School, has had an interest in space and
science since he was a child. He and his dad would often gaze at the
planets, stars, and other brilliant astronomical bodies. Chris has an
avid interest in chemistry and physics. He also plays the trumpet and
euphonium. He wants to pursue an education involving nuclear and quanta
physics and conduct research in the field of propulsion. He says,
“This program has definitely taught me many things about science
in general and about the process that is used to explore other planets.
It has also solidified my ambitions and focused my energies toward the
future.”
Ben, a senior at the Shades Valley International Baccalaureate School,
actually heard about ASIP while doing his summer research in a
University of Alabama at Birmingham astronomy lab. The title of his
project was “Formation of an Interstellar Dust Analog” and
it concentrated on the infrared spectrum of a Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon
plasma product. He presented this project at the Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair. He plans to pursue a career in
engineering or computer science. Ben says, “Since I was young,
I’ve always held a passion for science and I was especially
interested in seeing the different ways that science could be applied.
This is one of the things that first drew me to computer science and
engineering.” Ben is also active in the theatre program at his
school when he is not studying.
During the October 2003 Preliminary Operational Readiness Test (PORT) at
JPL, the Birmingham ASIP team learned how to operate the computer
software program, Science Activity Planner, which the scientists use to
maneuver the rovers. They also became acquainted with NASA protocols
that are used during the Mars mission, and they learned that working on
Mars time is not easy. A martian day lasts approximately 24 hours and
40 minutes. Each daily shift changes by those 40 additional minutes.
Sandra, Chris, and Ben have been busy sharing all this new information
with different school groups and the science museums in the Birmingham
area. Chris’ dad, Tim, shares the same excitement about the
mission, and has printed a steady flow of visual materials for the ASIP
team’s many outreach programs.
The Birmingham team sees some similarities in the geology of the
Birmingham area and Mars. “Ramsay High School sits in the shadow
of Red Mountain, an area named for its high concentration of iron ore,
much like the Red Planet,” offers Sandra.
Chris finds a similarity that is personal. He states, “Being a
part of ASIP will help pave the way to my future, much like the rovers
pave the way for further exploration of Mars.”
Sandra adds, “We are very proud to be one of 13 teams in the
United States that have the unique privilege to play an active role in
planetary exploration. Dreams can come true for those who aim
high.”
