So, Idaho's granolanaut Barbara Morgan has finally made it into space, and proud we are of all of that. I'm glad she made it, and kudos to her for sticking it out. I wonder though, what's the point?
NASA wanted to send an educator into space, but why? Is she going to give a lesson up there? "Okay kids, now turn to page 37 ..." Is she going to do some educating? "Now this knob is used to ...." Is she going to bring back her experiences and take it into a class room? Return to teaching and bring that experience to 30 kids a year in a tiny Idaho town? Travel and talk about going into space? Write a chapter on space in a science textbook?
I think she has achieved something great, and I admire her. This is not a criticism of Barbara Morgan. I'm just questioning NASA. If they want to make the space experience accessible to the masses, send a poet, or a writer, or a photographer, or a professional communicator like an actor or philosopher or TV news anchor. But a teacher? Teaching is too personal; it's not for the masses. I don't get it.
1 comment:
You got that right, Alan. You don't get it. Go here and see the first of a series of connections Barbara and the crew are making with Idaho kids. http://www.ktvb.com/video/index.html?nvid=166660
Leave it to a teacher to figure out how to engage kids in space exploration that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
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