> >New Documentary Sheds Light On Space Based Solar Power >by Staff Writers >Burbank CA (SPX) Nov 17, 2008 >[] > >File image. > >Space-based Solar Power - the concept of collecting high-intensity ><http://www.solardaily.com/reports/New_Documentary_Sheds_Light_On_Space_Based_Solar_Power_999.html#>solar > >energy in space, beaming it to Earth, and feeding it into existing >power grids - is getting a closer look. Groups studying the idea, >including the Pentagon, think the project could create as many as >1.2 million jobs in addition to enormous energy benefits. > >The Futures Channel's latest online documentary, Powering the >Planet, introduces the concept to the future designers, engineers >and scientists who would make it a reality: students in math and >science classrooms across the country. Tens of thousands of >educators use the company's video programs to help students make the >link between their studies and exciting, real-world careers. > >"Through Powering the Planet, students will gain exceptional insight >into one of the most exciting alternatives for meeting global energy >demand," said Alan Ladwig, space consultant and former NASA official. > >"The documentary describes the history, concept and technical >requirements for this cutting-edge energy source, and introduces >students to the leading scientists and engineers who are guiding >current research." > >"It's going to be the new generation of students coming through the >system now that are going to be the engineers, the designers, the >builders of these systems," Air Force Col. Michael "Coyote"Smith, a >space-based solar power strategist, says in his interview. > >A program to build space-based solar power technology would require >people across hundreds of career tracks, ranging from electrical, >mechanical, and aerospace engineers to metallurgists and welding >technicians, he explains. > >"Our objective was mainly to pose the concept to today's students," >says Steve Heard,Executive Producer. > >"They would be the initial builders, and the idea is to deliver a >sort of '101'on the concept of space-based solar power, so they can >include it in their discussions on energy." > >Since 1999, The Futures Channel has brought hundreds of fascinating, >real-world science,technology, engineering and math applications >into classrooms through its engaging "micro-documentary" videos. > >Pamela Fazel, a teacher at Kentucky's Butler County Middle School, >previewed the program. "This video is a powerful tool for teachers >to inspire and empower students to believe that theycan be the >scientists of the future. Here we see real people like us working >together to solve one of the world's biggest dilemmas-energy. I >can't wait to show this to my students." > >The documentary features the late, world-renowned physicist and >space visionary Gerard O'Neill, in excerpts from a 1991 interview. >"Things like mathematics and physics and engineering-the hard >scientific subjects-those are the subjects which are going to be of >the most use to you in getting a job, whether it's on the earth or >in space," O'Neill explains. > >The documentary was premiered last week for delegates at the annual >meeting of the Japan-US Science, ><http://www.solardaily.com/reports/New_Documentary_Sheds_Light_On_Space_Based_Solar_Power_999.html#>Technology > >and Space Applications Program (JUSTSAP), an international forum of >scientists, educators, government officials and business >professionals working to identify and explore opportunities for >international collaboration in ><http://www.solardaily.com/reports/New_Documentary_Sheds_Light_On_Space_Based_Solar_Power_999.html#>space > >exploration. > >Adam Newman, a former teacher, longtime education industry analyst >and current director of the education group at Berkery Noyes, noted >that Powering the Planet underscores the power of video in the classroom. > >"The Futures Channel's newest video captures one of the most >critical issues facing our planet-renewable energy sources, while >helping to address one of our country's greatest education >challenges: driving student interest in and awareness of the STEM >disciplines. This type of web-delivered educational programming is >gaining greater traction in K-12 schools, engaging students with >real-world challenges and opportunities that they will one day help
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