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Outreach Efforts Pick Up STEAM at Colton Middle School
U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

Outreach Efforts Pick Up STEAM at Colton Middle School

By Javier Chagoya

NPS National Reconnaissance Office Chair and former NASA astronaut, retired Capt. Dan Bursch, far right, is greeted by an enthusiastic group of 7th and 8th grade students from Monterey’s Walter Colton Middle School, Oct. 15. Bursch, along with three former NPS interns, Amara Borchers, Stephen Edgar, and Carson Vogt, traveled to the school as part of a community outreach effort that cultivates interest into the traditional STEM disciplines, as well as the Arts, known as STEAM.

"Mathematics is the language of physics and allows you to solve problems. Knowing physics and how machines are designed empowered humans to get into space," said Bursch.

He described different phases of the Space Shuttle launch sequence, Earth orbiting maneuvers, and even his own adventures into space, including his 2001-2002, six-and-a-half-month stay on the International Space Station. Bursch also talked to the class about two instances when things didn't go quite as planned, and used the events as life lessons.

"On two separate shuttle launches, we had to abort take off at the very final seconds of the count down. What that means is that many of the rocket engine parts have to be refitted, and that takes up to six weeks, so you can imagine how that can be a bit un-nerving," Bursch explained. "But, you still have to gather yourself up, prepare for the next time and be ready to face the challenge."

Bursch also brought his personal set of space working gloves and passed them around in a show-and-tell to the students, who marveled at the chance to slide their hands into the special gloves.

"I really think that some of these kids have it in them to reach for the stars and make their dreams of doing great things come true one day," said Caroline Wormley, a teacher at Colton Middle School.

Gaining momentum nationally, the STEAM movement looks to integrate art and design into the center of traditional STEM programs, encouraging the emphasis of these disciplines into traditional K-20 education.

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Today@NPS showcases some of the speakers, conferences, experiments, lectures, and other events that take place at the Naval Postgraduate School on a daily basis. If you would like more information about any of the highlighted activities please contact the Office of University Communications at pao@nps.edu.
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