The whole purpose of the interactive teaching was to get the students interested and motivated in pursuing an education in science and engineering. Worcester was among the cities chosen to take part in the interactive lessons. The students who were selected to participate in the interactive lessons worked on experiments on earth and then reported back to the astronauts in space.
Al Sacco was the main person responsible for interacting with them and answering from space any type of question the students had after the experiments.
He also commented on the interactive lessons as well as the strong commitment of the astronauts to education. "We are here (at WPI) to try to push an educational agenda. Space is so exciting and it is a great way of stimulating teachers and their students. In the near future that's what we hope to do; that's what we want to do. We want to get them [students] excited and motivated about science and mathematics, an education in general, but in particular in math and science."
Their main efforts are aimed to the young population. "The hats on backwards, (on a video presentation at WPI), the whole situation, was in part because we wanted to relate to youth and today, we wanted to tell them that they have a very bright future, unlike what they think. We wanted to tell them that they should never be afraid. If they want something they should go get it and never let their fears get on the way of reaching that dream."
For the crew it will be pleasing to know that their mission was a success as some of the students shared their thoughts with them last Wednesday in real time. Kathryn Morales, Reginald Hill and Beth Quitadamo, all 15, were in charge of conducting experiments on surface tension.
"The whole experience was great. We did the experiment back on October and we finally get to meet them today." said Quitadamo. Hill echoed the same feeling: "I am really excited to meet them."
Morales also commented on the unique opportunity and strong impact the interactive lessons had on her. "This has been a great motivation... it has been an eye opener for me in all you can do in science and engineering."
According to Hill, the experiments were not as difficult as they were interesting. "The experiments were not hard. They were fun and the whole experience was a great educational opportunity."
Guillermo Caraballo, 17, also did some experiments on surface tension. "It was a good experience. If you look back at it we were doing a project with NASA. It is a lifetime experience."