Spring 2003 Activity: Speaking Out on Science

More than 70 international scientists had access to the microgravity environment of space and to the seven human researchers for 16 uninterrupted days. The astronauts worked 24 hours a day in two alternating shifts performing experiments in astronaut health and safety, advanced technology development, and earth and space sciences. Several educators and a student shared their thoughts on science education and science careers after the loss of Columbia.

“If you ask an 8-year-old child to describe the future for you, it almost always involves the stars, space travel and living on other planets, because that's how they see themselves, and us, in the future. If you understand that, then you realize how important space is as the tool, a theme to reach those students and motivate them.”
—Vance Ablott, the Challenger Center president and CEO, “Columbia's Loss Felt at
Challenger School,” The Washington Post, Feb. 24, 2003

“It's easy to think people will get discouraged because it's sad that our sciences can't prevent this kind of thing, but accidents happen all the time. This one was just really big. Sometimes I think something like this drives students in their careers because they want to be there so they can help prevent accidents like that from happening.”
—Eric Huang, student at George Washington High School, Charleston, West Virginia

“I think students are encouraged to pursue science education by what they do in the classroom. The ability to explore concepts and do activities that prove or disprove a hypothesis they may have formed excites students in the classroom. This type of experience often leads students to want careers in science.”
—Francy Garner, chemistry and physics teacher at Eisenhower High School, Lawton, Oklahoma

“Our workforce will look very different in the future because of changing demographics. Women and people of color are needed in science and engineering. Diverse representation in these fields will ultimately inform scientific research and engineering design as a broader range of perspectives, life experiences, and viewpoints will be reflected. Columbia was an excellent example of how diversity was able to enhance scientific exploration.”
—Meesha Grinter, associate director of Women in Science and Engineering,
University of Washington

“Science offers you the thrill of discovery. It doesn't happen every day, but I've had a few moments where a little bit of nature was uncovered that no one else saw. That's pretty good. We're now in the greatest age of discovery. The amount of new information and discoveries being uncovered is phenomenal.”
—Steven Feller, B. D. Silliman Professor of Physics, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa