WLMS Pride! Teachers Take Flight!

Across the country, there is a growing concern regarding the number of students entering science, technology, engineering and mathematical careers. We know that one way to reverse that trend is to make science and math fascinating and applicable for students. 

To achieve this goal, the Northrop Grumman Foundation launched the Weightless Flights of Discovery program in 2006. This unique, nationwide teacher professional development program is designed to inspire today’s students to pursue science and technical careers by inspiring their teachers first.

The program was developed in cooperation with the Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G), Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., a company that specializes in bringing the exhilaration of weightlessness to the general public. As part of the program, practicing classroom middle school teachers and future middle school teachers have the opportunity to participate in hands-on science workshops, and perform and experiment in a parabolic or "zero-gravity" aircraft flight that creates temporary weightlessness comparable to what humans would experience during space travel to the moon or Mars. It also mimics how astronauts train for space flights.  (An excerpt from Northrop Grumman's website - http://www.northropgrumman.com/goweightless/)

On September 12, our very own, WLMS teachers, Karen Stiller and Lauren Rathmann participated in this amazing program. I am so proud that these talented teachers were selected and were able to take flight and experience weightlessness! I am looking forward to see how both of these fantastic teachers use their new found knowledge to inspire their students this year and in the future.

If you are interested in seeing more pictures and learning more about Ms. Stiller's experience, please visit her blog at http://stillerwfod.weebly.com/index.html

 

STILLER AND RATHMANN ROCK!