AND INFORMAL EDUCATION. July 19, v.2.0

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1 Volanz Aerospace Inc. Spaceflight Institute Southern Maryland Blvd PO Box 81 Dunkirk, MD Contact: Alan J. Hayes Telephone: (443) PROGRAM OVERVIEW CONTRIBUTING TO EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K - COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY AND INFORMAL EDUCATION July 19, 2013 v.2.0 Volanz Aerospace Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). A Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI ) Level 2 Company Volanz Aerospace is an IRS 501c3 non-profit Educational Corporation Volanz Aerospace Inc. Spaceflight Institute and Spaceflight America are trademarks of Volanz Aerospace Inc. CMMI is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Carnegie Mellon University

2 Mission Statement The mission of Volanz Aerospace Inc. is to provide space science and space-related high technology education and research opportunities for students of all ages. Volanz Aerospace fosters learning and academic excellence by working with students, scientists, and educators to create a safe, fulfilling, and academically enriching environment for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEM/STEAM). Introduction Volanz Aerospace Inc. is a non-profit (IRS 501c3) Maryland corporation formed in 1998 to provide space science and space-related high technology education and research opportunities. Educators, students, and researchers work together to expand our knowledge of space. We also collaborate with NASA, educational institutions, Government and industry to enhance the impact of space science and technology in our world. Using aerospace and related fields as a theme, our educational programs create an exciting learning environment that challenges students by providing them with unique educational opportunities. These programs enhance science literacy, and help provide our nation with a diverse technical workforce. Volanz Aerospace s goal is to offer diverse educational opportunities that contribute to the educational success of area students. Our goals directly support national Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEM/STEAM) educational requirements for students. Our activities focus on student s engagement and skills from the earliest grades in science, math and technology to help foster interest for their later school years and careers. Balloon Payload Launch Space Shuttle Glider Contest From June March 2013, over 12,877 students and over 5,220 adults/teachers have participated in our formal/informal educational programs. These include in-school programs, summer camp, national conventions, local meetings, STEM/STEAM programs, and NASA Programs, such as Goddard s Launchfest Volanz Aerospace Inc. 2 7/19/13

3 Working with NASA Volanz has a long history of working closely with NASA on a wide range of national programs: 1. From , we developed and implemented NASA s National Student Troposphere Sounding Rocket Program (NSSRP), which culminated with our organization launching six rockets containing student payloads from the Wallops Flight Facility in In 2006, Volanz Signed a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA to administer the 2007 and 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge, part of NASA s Centennial Challenges Program. The Astronaut Glove Challenge seeks innovative glove design concepts to reduce the effort needed to perform tasks during spacewalks. In this challenge, competitors demonstrated their glove design by performing a range of tasks with the glove in an evacuated chamber. The gloves were also tested to ensure that they would not leak. In order to qualify for a prize, the gloves had to meet all of the basic requirements and also exceed the flexibility of the current NASA spacesuit glove. This highly technical competition awarded its first prize in 2007, and was the first Centennial Challenge to award a prize Astronaut Glove Challenge held at the Kennedy Space Center. 3. In 2007, Volanz began supporting NASA s Science Education Gateway (SEGway). SEGway is a group of educator-scientists working to present the latest astronomy and space science research to students, teachers, and the general public. SEGway actively collaborates with partners across the United States and has developed E/PO (education and public outreach) programs for a number of NASA space science programs. SEGway is a part of the Center for Science Education at the Space Sciences Laboratory (CSE@SSL) on the campus of UC Berkeley Volanz Aerospace Inc. 3 7/19/13

4 4. In 2008, we were invited to participate in NASA Goddard s Launchfest. Launchfest was an opportunity for the public to visit Goddard and participate in many space-related activities. Our booth was one of the most popular booths at the event, with approximately 20,000 participants visiting our Space Glove and hands-on exhibits. 5. Volanz recently received a letter of support from NASA s Office of the Deputy Associate Administrator for Public Outreach, Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC. Working with Schools and other Educational Organizations Volanz is proud of its impact on students (of all ages) to get them excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. We work very closely with organizations to further national educational goals. Over the past 12 months, we have seen over 1500 students and 100 adults in free programs in support the following Maryland organizations: Elementary Schools (also Virginia) Middle Schools STEM Programs Cub Scouts Boy Scouts Other Organizations (also DC and Virginia) Educational Programs Beginning in 2001, Volanz has been offering a series of educational programs and related services. These are designed to foster long-term interest in aerospace technology, communications, Information Technology, and related fields. Students have an opportunity to participate in activities that include: Spaceflight Institute Camp (Grades K - 9) Teacher Education Seminars (Grades K - 12) In-school Programs Traveling Museum Program, Future Space Museum and Education/Visitor s Center Family Space Adventure Operate a Mars Rover Team Building (for students and professionals) and Project/Program Management Fly The ARES II Mars Plane Fly the XV-50a Rocket Plane Our specialized educational programs are designed to be held anywhere in the world, and can be customized to meet host organizational requirements Volanz Aerospace Inc. 4 7/19/13

5 Selected Volanz program highlights are described below: Spaceflight Institute Beginning in July of 2001, Volanz Aerospace began holding a highly successful Spaceflight Institute camp program in Upper Marlboro. The camp has since expanded to offer camps in Western Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and throughout Southern Maryland. This program is designed to foster long-term interest in aerospace technology, communications, Information Technology, and related fields. We plan on holding camps in DC, VA, and expanding to other states over the next few years. Astronauts Exploring a Planet Operating a Rover on Mars Students in grades K-12 follow a training curriculum patterned after NASA s Astronaut training program, and learn about space technology, with an emphasis on science, technology, language, mathematics, geography, and team work. Students conduct experiments on a wide variety of science and space-related topics. Spaceflight Institute offers an intensive program of learning, confidence building, and teamwork within a space motif. Spaceflight Institute brings to life the importance of math and science, builds confidence through genuine opportunities for achievement, and offers a fun and stimulating place for kids to learn and grow. Spaceflight Institute is designed for students with a high interest in the area of space exploration. The institute is organized into multiple levels of achievement with each level having its own set of skills and objectives. Students will experience the complex processes, procedures, and functions involved in planning, completing, and evaluating spaceflight operations Volanz Aerospace Inc. 5 7/19/13

6 Family Space Adventure A parent and child team up for a weekend adventure into space. They work side-by-side learning about America s Manned Space Program. After training to fly the Space Shuttle, the parent and child will board our Space Shuttle Independence or XV-50a Rocket Plane for a mission into space. Participants learn what it is like to be an Astronaut while flying an exciting Space Mission. This program can be held at any location with minimal equipment requirements. Space Shuttle Independence Mission Control Houston ARES II Mars Plane The Aerial Regional-scale Environmental Survey of Mars (or ARES) is a NASA Mars Scout Proposal to extend the current Mars Exploration Program by using a long-duration flying vehicle. This vehicle could be outfitted with various sensors that would allow further detailed exploration of Mars, not easily done from space. Volanz developed a ground launched version of the vehicle for education. Students have an opportunity to fly around Marsbase Alpha, a future NASA base. ARES II Flying at Marsbase Alpha 2013 Volanz Aerospace Inc. 6 7/19/13

7 XV-50a Rocketplane The XV-50a is an unmanned vehicle designed by Volanz to fly up to 100,000 feet and launch a small payload into space. The XV-50a is flown from the Nevada Test Site. The simulation utilizes model-airplane type controllers, and features highly accurate views of the ground and sky, and utilizes a physics-based engine to model vehicle performance. NASA/Volanz XV-50a ready for takeoff Traveling Museum Program, Space Museum and Education/Visitor s Center Through the generosity of NASA, its contractors, and other benefactors, we have amassed a large number of historic space artifacts. These include: Soviet/Russian Space Suits (Sokol-KV2 Launch/Entry Suit, Krechet-94 Moon Suit, High Altitude Helmet) Chinese Space Suit (Shenzhou 7 Launch/Entry Suit) and Military MiG-15 High Altitude Pressure DC-1 Suit American Space Suits (Apollo ASTP, Shuttle EMU Components, Shuttle EMU Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) and ACES II Components) Shuttle astronaut flight Suit Apollo Lunar Module Pyro Test Unit Russian Buran Space Shuttle Tile NASA Space Flight Medal (Shuttle Era) NASA Distinguished Service Medal Hubble Tools, Spares, and Engineering Models Space Shuttle Flight Deck Instrumentation, Laptop Computers, Tiles, and Insulation Astronaut Personal Care Items (Shampoo, Conditioner, Food) Astronaut Gloves (Apollo, Shuttle, Astronaut Glove Challenge Entries, and a Prototype Glove Volanz Aerospace Inc. 7 7/19/13

8 Many of these artifacts are brought to schools as part of our Traveling Museum Program. This program allows us to share historic NASA artifacts directly with students. Many of these artifacts can be handled by the students, and they also get an opportunity to actually wear space equipment, such as gloves and space suits. The Spaceflight Institute Museum will open in 2014 at the Arthur Storer Planetarium in Prince Frederick MD. The museum, operated in cooperation with the Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS), will specialize in manned Spaceflight operations. The Museum/Visitor s Center will be the home base for many of our educational programs and activities. The center will house a museum consisting of: Exhibits Computer lab Mission Control Center with Simulators (Apollo, Shuttle, XV-50a, ARES II) Teacher (formal and informal) Educational Resource Center As an integral part of our activities, research opportunities for students and teachers will be made available. In addition, our extensive collection of reference materials is also available for research. The Center will be open throughout the year. The Center will hold special events for students, teachers, and the general public. Many of these activities will also be held at other locations throughout the United States. At a minimum, it is expected that students from Calvert, Charles, Saint Mary s, Prince Georges, and Anne Arundel Counties (Maryland) will visit the museum during each school year. Organizational Memberships & Awards Volanz Aerospace Inc. is a member of the following organizations and programs: NASA Museum Alliance Partner Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources (CCCOER) STEM Education Coalition American Alliance of Museums (AAM) National Association of Space Simulating Educators (NASSE) Analytical Graphics, Inc. (Educational Alliance Program) SEGway (Science Education Gateway) American Nonprofits Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance (ANI) Volanz website ( was recognized as one of the Top Space Science Education Sites on the Web by the National Association of Space Simulating Educators (NASSE) Volanz Aerospace Inc. 8 7/19/13

9 APPENDIX - Biographies of Selected Organizational Officers and Educators Organization Founders: Mr. Sigmund Gorski is the President and Chief Information Officer of Volanz Aerospace Inc., and the director of the Spaceflight Institute summer program. He has degrees in biology and in Science Education. He spent twenty-five years as a classroom instructor and over seventeen years in the information technology field, where he worked at the Federal Aviation Administration on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Air Traffic operations. Mr. Alan Hayes is the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Volanz Aerospace Inc., and is the Institute s Director of Simulations and Robotics. He has degrees in Computer Science and General Science. He has been in the Information Technology field for over thirty-two years and the aerospace field for over twenty-two years. Mr. Hayes is a graduate of the United States Air Force (USAF)/Civil Air Patrol Air Command and Staff College, and was an Astronaut Candidate while in the USAF. Mr. Hayes worked at the Federal Aviation Administration, where he worked on the Global Positioning System (GPS), and was the Spaceflight Management Program Manager, where he supported Space Shuttle launch and landing operations. Mr. Hayes was recently nominated for the 2013 Presidential Citizens Medal. Ms. Debora Walton is the Institute s Senior Classroom Instructor. She is an elementary school teacher for the Calvert County Public School system, and has been teaching at the Spaceflight Institute for five years. Mr. Samuel Hayes is the Institute s Simulations instructor. He is a High School senior in the Calvert County School System. Ms. Alison Charapp is the Institute s new classroom Instructor. She is a teacher in the Anne Arundel County School System Volanz Aerospace Inc. 9 7/19/13