LiveChat Round Up 11/1/12

By Jim Gerard, NASA INSPIRE Specialist, KSC, FL

It's Physics Month, and what better way to kick it off than some fun and games on the International Space Station! 48 OLC members participated in last nights fun. Since we could not all go visit the station, the LiveChat hosted Digital Learning Network specialist Scott Anderson from Marshall Space Flight Center to talk about the toys and games he helped send up to the ISS in his talk "Toys in Space". While the toys may be somewhat elementary (or primitive) consideration of astronaut safety had to be paramount. No sharp edges, small objects which could float off, or even the pain or plastic which could give off gasses that the air recyclers could not handle. The main goal was to compare the way these common toys behaved in a microgravity environment, so students could compare to their own observations of use here on earth.

In the time allotted, Scott presented four toys: boomerang, ball in cup, jump rope, and soccer ball. Each of these was shown in use in the freefall of the ISS, and then compared to the way they normal work. In this way, a visual confirmation of Newton's three laws of motion could be ascertained. Fortunately, the audio was included which indicated the astronauts were have a great time doing these demonstrations and playing with the toys! In fact, some were left behind for future crews to play with!

Next week we continue our physics theme with one of the greatest mysteries of the universe: Black Holes. Ann Cardiff of the Goddard Space Flight Center will be on hand to share the latest knowledge concerning these celestial wonders. And don't forget to come early for the INSPIRE Cafe, especially if you missed the New OLC Orientation chat in September, as Mr. Gerard will give it again for any who would like to find out more about the OLC and INSPIRE. See you next week!