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.
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