Despite Columbia, Space Exploration Continues To Inspire Students

Despite recent events, space exploration will continue to be a powerful educational theme that inspires children to become technologically literate, according to an irrepressible space entrepreneur who spoke on behalf of software company PTC at a national conference for technology education teachers in Nashville this week.

Rev 'Em Up

"Kids respond to the excitement and challenge of space exploration," said Steven M. Bennett, managing director and CEO of Starchaser Industries Ltd. Starchaser is a contender for the $10 million prize that will be awarded by the X PRIZE Foundation of St. Louis to the first civilian enterprise to design, build and launch a manned space vehicle suitable for space tourism. "From excitement and challenge," Bennett added, "it's just a short leap to curiosity about the technology that makes flight possible."

Bennett, based in Manchester, England, was in Nashville along with PTC, a global product development software company, at the International Technology Educators Association (ITEA) show at the Nashville Convention Center. He displayed rocket models and described his plans to drop a capsule from an airplane next month to test its re-entry capabilities. Starchaser is one of the X PRIZE competitors actively designing, building and testing rockets.

To Boldly Go...

The human desire to conquer space is powerful and will continue despite the occasional setbacks inherent in developing new technologies, said Bennett, adding, "Few children doubt that space is part of our planet's future."

Also appearing at the technology educators' show today was Gretchen Davidian, communications director of the X PRIZE Foundation. "Starchaser is one of more than 20 teams vying for the X PRIZE, and all have reaffirmed their commitment since the tragic events of February," said Davidian. "The Foundation shares PTC's and Starchaser's belief that space exploration can inspire a new generation to achieve with science, math and technology."

The ITEA "Action Lab" is the second time PTC and Bennett have teamed up to reach students with a message about the importance of studying technology. In October 2002, PTC sponsored Bennett's "Engineering - Cool for Kids" tour to schools throughout England. Children poured out of their schools to meet Bennett and see a 33-foot rocket, one of 18 Bennett has launched and tested as part of his X PRIZE quest.

PTC will, later this spring, release a new space-based curriculum for technology education teachers, enabling them to teach 3D design with Pro/DESKTOP. PTC gives this powerful 3D design software to middle and high schools at no charge to help students become technologically literate and encourage them to consider engineering careers. By using Pro/DESKTOP to assemble a 3D model of a space shuttle, students learn about design, the technology of space exploration and the principles of force and motion.

FMI: www.starchaser.co.uk, www.ptc.com/for/education