Microgravity pedagogical experiments conducted during ESA parabolic flights by the Euro space center teachers for space classes
- Paper ID
IAF-01-P.3.02
- author
- company
Microgravity Projects Division, Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity Directorate, European Space Research an Technology Center, European Space Agency
- country
The Netherlands
- year
2001
- abstract
Aircraft parabolic flights are a useful tool for performing short duration scientific and technological experiments in reduced gravity. The real value of parabolic flights is in the verification tests that can be conducted prior to space experiments in order to improve their quality and success rate, and to confirm results obtained from space experiments. For these purposes, ESA has organized since 1984 in the frame of its Microgravity Programme thirty parabolic flight campaigns. On each campaign, ESA invites journalists to report to the general public on the research work conducted in weightlessness. A new initiative was launched in 2000 with the introduction of pedagogical experiments aiming at educating youngsters and the general public on weightlessness effects and research. Four secondary school teachers detached to the Euro Space Center participated in November 2000 in the 29th ESA campaign. The purpose of the Euro Space Center, located in the Belgian Ardennes, is characterized by a blend of recreational and pedagogical activities for the general public during visits lasting from 2 h to a full day and by organizing Space classes targeted at primary and secondary school pupils during stay of 2 to 6 days. The pedagogical and educational experiments performed by the four teachers were video recorded to promote early awareness of the characteristics and the possibilities of the space and microgravity environment. Gyroscopes, yoyos, magnetic balls, pendulum, and simple food were used in microgravity to explain the different behaviour in weightlessness and the difficulties that astronauts encounter in their daily life in orbit.