On Sat, Aug 22, 2009 at 12:35 AM, Rocky Jones<orbit...@hotmail.com> wrote: > > > >> I offered three classes in a local Middle School after SS-1 was >> launched. The details were posted in this letter: >> http://128.54.16.15/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200602/msg00877.html As I >> noted then, it was a great success: the idea of communicating with an >> object pushed out of humanity's current only outpost in space was not >> lost to the students. I can honestly say that they found it >> considerably more engaging than other classes I have given on >> s >> >> 73, Bruce >> VE9QRP > > Bruce...so we are doing satellites now for their educational not > communicative value?
Rocky -- Thanks for your reply. I think you are positing a false dichotomy: I hadn't meant to suggest that these goals are exclusive. In fact, I hoped I'd suggested that the communication role of the bird would enhance its educative one. Moreover I'm likely to spend an order of magnitude more time communicating through SS-2 than teaching by means of it. I was responding to the implication in the original post that SS-2 would lack educational purpose. > Years ago when the twins were in High school they gave a demonstration to > their class of "chatting it up" with people in space, some of which they > latter got to come to their class (Houston) and have a follow up. > > Proud parents aside...I dont see how the next one is going to be all that > more interesting then the "Sputnik" revival (which got little attention)... I guess I was trying to give experience-based evidence to the contrary: SS-1 was, as I said, *very* popular with the kids when I used it as a means of supplementing our province's gr. 7/8 orbital mechanics and radio theory. I expect SS-2 to be equally so. > and while NASA pushes the long term "invest in our youth" stick, they do it > because they have nothing else to sell. > > sorry the "we have to look after the kids thing" doesnt impress me much (of > course now the twins are being slung off of the Ronald Reagan...) You obviously have more experience and knowledge of the inner workings of NASA than I do. I don't mean to make a larger argument on behalf of it, or any such slogan above. Rather, I was just attempting to rebut the contention that SS-2 will have little educative value. 73, Bruce VE9QRP _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
