After reading the article, "What's Our Sputnik?", I found myself wondering why we rely on so many other countries for items that we can handle here in the United States. Why did it take Sputnik to set us into a tail spin to launch our space program? Like the article states, what will be next for us (Friedman, 2010)? I think that we have more than enough knowledge and capability here but we need to stimulate our younger generations by giving them exciting educational opportunities. In some aspects, the education system needs to overhauled. Students need to have the resources to compete with other countries with technology and in many schools, basic science equipment.
Growing up in Florida, I witnessed numerous space shuttle launches. I also witnessed the Challenger explosion when I was in fourth grade. I live in Nashville now, but my children were fortunate enough to have resided in Florida long enough to experience a few launches and landings. I believe having witnessed those awesome viewings sparks a curiosity in adults and children alike. If only every child could have some sort of like changing experience to get the scientific juices flowing...
Reference:
Friedman, T. L. (2010, January 17). What’s our sputnik? [Op-Ed]. The New York Times [Late Edition (East Coast)], p. WK.8.
Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the ProQuest Central database.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jodi,
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible memory you have. I still have the image of the challenger burned in my mind. I was in high school and an announcement was made. We all stopped what we were doing and turned on the classroom TVs to watch. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to witness this live.
Jodi,
ReplyDeleteI was three years old when Sputnik took flight. The space program has been important world-wide, as well as, to my family personally. I grew up in Ohio and John Glenn is a cousin of mine. Great discussions took place during family reunions. The intense rivalry and, at that time, dislike, for the Soviet Union (Russia), was incredible. The United States then and now continues its competitive nature. The idea that a major rival nation could send a rocket into space first shocked the nation. As I reflect on it today, I believe it was what empowered the United States into action.
Now a resident of Florida, I took my very first class of fifth graders outside to watch John Glenn reenter space. This spoke volumes for NASA and gained respect for those who were once considered 'over the hill'.
My husband and I watched the rocket lauch Friday night from our front porch. Spectacular! One can only appreciate this view.
Jodi,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up some great questions. This article does make you wonder what will be next. It is hard to think where we will be going next.
It is great how your children were able to see the shuttle lift off. That is an experience not many Americans are able to have.
I, too, lived in Florida and remember the Challenger explosion. I have since had the opportunity to go 'behind the scenes' at NASA. I walked through and on the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building (the white building with the flag on the side), I have walked on one of the launchpads, and even had the chance to listen to lectures from NASA scientists. These are the kinds of things our students need to have the opportunity to do. It will show them the realities of these jobs and that they can also walk in the shoes of these scientists!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a valid concern. I feel if the media would inform and show the launches or space station more often, other than the NASA channel, students would find value in this branch of study because our society finds value for it. Discoveries and careers are in abundance, but many times I scan the NASA channel to see empty rooms full of monitors. I feel this diminishes students’ desire to enter in this field because its emptiness implies there are no jobs (careers) in this employment sector.
ReplyDelete