Flying high

Would you fly on a DC-8 designed by a fifth-grader? Probably not. But someday, you will, and that's exactly why NASA set up shop at Palmer Junior Middle School last week.

The Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL), a 53-foot trailer filled with the latest computers, flight simulators, high-tech gadgets and other NASA research equipment, was at PJMS last week. Fifth- and sixth-graders got the opportunity to use NASA software to design a DC-8, and spend time flying a plane using the MAEL virtual reality software.

The lab travels around the country, offering different "missions" to classrooms. It is part of the John Glenn Research Center, based near Cleveland, but it knows no true home, spending time as a teaching tool.

"We hope the kids come in here and have fun and are inspired by aeronautics and science," said Craig Frohman of the MAEL. "A lot of students don't realize the career options they have. They think of a scientist as somebody with crazy hair and Bunsen burners. Hopefully, through this experience, we can show them science can be a fun and exciting career.

"Of the top four global industries, all are technology-related, and America is a power in three of them. In 20 years, we are not going to have the people with the technology training to compete. That's why this is so important," Frohman said. "We build the confidence of the students, give them a great lesson, and they get to see some of the career opportunities out there."

At PJMS, the mission was to build the plane -- from wing arrangements to engine types to seating arrangements -- for less than $27 million. Efficiency, not speed, was the name of the game. After designing the plane on the computer, the students found out how much it would cost, and if it would make the trip from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco.

Variables such as speed and altitude were factored in. By changing things such as the tail design, types and locations of the engines, fuel capacity and several other things, the price of the plan would change.

"I think the secret is turbo engines. That's what you have to use," said Willow Elementary student Joe Rankin.

His design partner, Jimmy Young, wasn't sure what the key to coming in under budget was, but he knew the goal.

"I don't know. We're trying to find the cheapest thing," he said.

Their design came in at $22.5 million, which was the second-lowest for the class. The most efficient plane was $22.1 million.

After designing a jet, the students spent time in the flight simulator, getting to use virtual-reality goggles to fly a small-engine plane. The students were impressed with the flight.

"That's awesome," said Willow Elementary student Andrew Delaney. "It's just like being in a real plane."

Through the flight simulator and design workshop, the students have fun, some unaware they are getting an important lesson in mathematics and science in the process.

"They get to play on the computer and fly planes, and sometimes they don't realize they are working with something as complex as aeronautics. Aeronautics is a great platform to teach from, because it incorporates so many things," said Frank Witcher, the MAEL team leader. "Science and technology make the world go 'round, and if we can get some of these students interested in it, that's great. Our future depends on them."

From Palmer, the MAEL will next travel to Anchorage. Then it is back on the road.

The MAEL spends about a week in each city it visits, and is on tour for seven months a year.

"We're like a rock band, making a loop around the country on tour," Frohman said.

Working with the MAEL does have a few drawbacks, however.

"I was at home, sitting in the Dawg Pound of a Cleveland Browns game last week, and had to leave at halftime to get on a plane and come here," Witcher said. "You don't have a lot of time at home. When you do, you have to make the most of it. But watching these kids have fun and get excited about what we have here makes it worth it."