astronaut challenge

Overview

Overview

• The Story• The Need• The Challenge• The Students• The Schools• The Goal • The Way You Can Help

The StoryHow the Astronaut Challenge came about

The Story

As many education departments do, they developed a Grant and solicited participation from area schools.

The Prize: $10,000


In 2010, FDOE awarded the grant of $10,000 to Florida State University Schools (Florida High) to build their concept of a Space Shuttle Simulator.

Florida High’s “Simulator” Wins


Florida State University Schools partners with the Challenger Learning Center (Tallahassee) as the model to frame and build their Space Shuttle Simulator.

Florida High & Challenger together


Coaxis takes it higher and higher


Coaxis International provided pro-bono software programming and helps to build the actual “rolling” Space Shuttle Simulator.

FDOE: “Wow! Let’s do this statewide!”

FDOE sees the final product and is so impressed they make plans to roll it out as a statewide initiative in 2011…


The “Astronaut Challenge” is born!

Disney gets involved...it’s going BIG!

FDOE approaches Walt Disney World to see if they are interested in supporting the statewide “Astronaut Challenge.”

Disney’s response: “Yes. We’re the largest employer of engineers in Florida, this is perfect!”


Spring 2012: 7 Schools compete in the finals!

FDOE announces the “Astronaut Challenge” as a statewide competition. Schools throughout the state thrust their best and brightest at the challenge, and the top seven teams are invited to compete at the finals in Tallahassee.


That was great! Now, let’s take it farther!

The NeedWe don’t have enough engineers

The Need: Not enough Engineers


A lack of qualified workers in the tech industry is causing a crisis, says Microsoft. The firm

has started lobbying in Washington, calling for a new approach to science, technology, engineering and math teaching at schools, and warning that if changes are not made, the U.S. will lose out to other, better-prepared nations.

Microsoft's General Counsel and executive VP claims that the firm is looking for 3,400 skilled tech engineers, an increase of 34 per cent on last year … “

In 2009 the U.S. graduated 37,994 students with bachelor’s degrees in computer and information science. This is not bad, but we graduated more students with computer science degrees 25 years ago!

ManpowerGroup Annual Survey Reveals U.S. Talent Shortages Persist in Skilled Trades, Engineers and IT Staff

Nearly Half of U.S. Employers Struggling to Fill Mission-Critical Positions. May 2012

The ChallengeHere’s how it works...


The regional qualifier consists of a100 question exam, proctored by DOE. The test is based on the Student Astronaut Challenge Manual.

Students will compete as a five person team, with each team member taking a different version of the test. The final team score is a composite of the team’s five individual scores.

The seven teams with the highest scores receive an invitation to compete in a four round State final.

In 2011, 15 schools from south and central Florida competed on the Regional level. This year 38 teams representing 30 schools from south, central and northern Florida competed at Regionals.

Regional Qualifier and Team Selection

It’s getting more competitive statewide!


Student Astronaut Challenge State Finals

Round One: The Engineering Challenge

Students are given an in-flight problem on the space shuttle and are required to devise and present a procedure for solving the problem.

Figure 1: Simplified control bus layout. This is a closed loop because the return path is through vehicle ground (not shown in diagram). PNL=Panel RPC =Remote Power Controller SNSR = Sensor

In 2012 “the challenge” involved a failure in the electrical system that tripped circuit protection for the main engine controller. With a handful of known information from Mission Control, the students had to assess what panels were operable and inoperable using mathematical formulas. A complication of the failure limits the available electrical supply forcing them to determine resistance and amperage of key operating systems needed to land and develop a step-by-step procedure to safely return the Space Shuttle to Earth.


Round Two: Focused ExperimentPresentation & Demonstration

Team develop an experiment that could be performed on the International Space Station.

Experiment Presentation and Demonstration

Past experiments have been extremely impressive and well conceived. Submissions have included projects ranging from Turbine Function in Zero-gravity and a Photo Bioreactor (top image) to using Magnetic Force Induction of Convection Currents (lower image).


Round Three: Flight Simulation A three member flight crew and two member ground team must demonstrate the pre-flight operation, launch, orbit and landing of the Space Shuttle Enterprise flight simulator and the operation and responsibilities of mission control.

Flight Simulation and Mission Control


Round Four: “Space Brain Bowl”

This round of competition is a modified version of a Brain Bowl where teams will be tested on their knowledge of the student text and reference material.

Space Brain Bowl

The StudentsThe Best and Brightest Minds


West Nassau High School student, Bradley Sikes has always been interested in becoming a pilot and engineering “The experience is very enlightening, this experience will help you chose the right career. This a great opportunity If you want to become a pilot, then this is a great the first step…”

Florida State University High School student, Claudia Richbourg, participates in several academic competitions from Brain Bowl to Latin Club but none of them compare to the first-ever Florida Student Astronaut Challenge. “This was a lot of fun,” she said. “It was more hands on. And it’s different because there isn’t a class around it.”

“The best eye opening experience ever!”

“This was a lot of fun!”

The Way You Can HelpBe a Part of Our Future


The Student Astronaut Challenge has no funding source. The volunteer program team is seeking tax deductible contributions from companies and individuals who desire to be affiliated with this valuable educational STEM program.

Please consider aligning with our generous in-kind sponsors. Review the levels of giving outlined below and be a part of making an impact on our youth. The global competition for STEM based careers is fiercely competitive, we need your help to sustain and grow this Challenge on a national level.

We need a volunteer corps over the three days for many activities, to sign up send your email to [email protected].

VOLUNTEERS DOLLARS&

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