Astro-Class Blasts Off

The Flash Player and a browser with Javascript support are needed..

Photo Credit: sir_mervs (www.flickr.com/people/sir_mervs)

.

Last 3 stories in Features

• Teachers Have Lives? - June 3, 2010
• Psychology: A Mental Adventure - May 19, 2010
• M-A Commemorates Historic Tragedy - May 17, 2010

Other stories that might interest you...

• Über Column: American School System
• Drama Teacher Takes Her Final Bow
• New Russian Lit. Class for Next Year
• The Fight For Lights
• Our New Officers

Written by Rachel Fox

This year M-A added astronomy to its growing list of science classes, with teacher James Corboy leading students into the unknown depths of space science.

Several weeks ago, the astronomy class went to NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffet Field to see a live video viewing of the LCROSS mission. The mission served to determine the amount of water on the moon. Because it is so expensive to bring water into space, finding water would ease future lunar missions. Corboy says that the moon impact itself was “anti-climactic,” but that the crowd was full of all types of enthusiastic space fans.

Corboy is starting his second year as a teacher at M-A, and is excited to have another science class available to students. Last year he taught earth science, and having previously worked as a field geologist with the USGS, possesses firsthand experience that not many science teachers can boast of. This year, Corboy has added astronomy to his repertoire under the suggestion of physics teacher Jeff DeCurtins, and eagerly is taking on the challenge.

Student Sabrina Keller acknowledges that the class is “a more relaxed environment” and notes that it certainly is not as stressful as AP Biology or AS Physics. However, she notes that “it’s a more specified science” and allows for more concentrated and in depth subject matter.

The class has already completed several projects, including studying the phases of the moon, learning about the history of ancient astronomy, and understanding the Big Bang. Corboy currently has two telescopes provided by the school, one of which has a camera built in. This technology will allow the students to take pictures of the night sky and even planets. He wants to inspire his students to become more interested in science, and he believes that out of all other sciences, astronomy seems to be universally awe-inspiring.

Corboy hopes to take his students to more astronomy related events, and also plans on hosting several school wide “star parties” where everyone could use telescopes and talk about the wonders of space.

M-A is extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher.

To find out more about the LCROSS mission, click here: http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/mission.htm