Math and Science Innovation entered a new stage on March 23 when all fourth graders and a few third graders in a split class at Redwood Shores Elementary School were treated to live demonstrations of principles of flight and aerodynamics.
Mike Nadler (a former helicopter pilot) and his colleagues, Pete Johnson and Ray Squires first used scale models to teach students the proper nomenclature of various parts of an aircraft. Students in Mr. Mullins’ and Ms. DeStefani’s classes learned the names and functions of fuselage, empennage, aileron, elevator, flap, rudder, etc. in the classroom. They then moved into the spacious multipurpose room and watched Mike using radio controlled aircraft to demonstrate how airplanes take off, fly, and land.
COMING SOON!
Aeronautics Club: Mike and his colleagues are scheduled to return on April 6 to do similar presentations and live demos for all third graders in Mrs. Lo and Mrs. Norman’s classes. They will return on April 13 to sign up students who wish to join the aeronautics club as an extracurricular activity on Wednesdays after dismissal. The official launch of the club is scheduled for April 27 after spring break.
Yuri’s Day at NASA: One hundred third and fourth grade students at Redwood Shores and Sandpiper Elementary Schools are invited to NASA Ames in Mountain View on April 8 to celebrate the golden anniversary (50th) of first human space flight by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. They will see exhibits on astrobiology, hypersonic aircraft design, search for life in space, etc. All exhibits have been correlated to California Content Standards by a parent in Redwood Shores so the teachers can prepare the students in advance and review the concepts afterwards.
Parade of Planes: Details of this event were presented to Redwood City Council on March 7. Principal Linda McDaniel of Sandpiper Elementary School, Mark Larson, Manager of San Mateo County Airports, Carol Ford, President of San Carlos Airport Pilots Association, and Donna Marie Baldwin of Coldwell Banker attended the presentation to demonstrate their support. Redwood City Police Department subsequently granted permission to hold the event on Saturday, May 21. On that day, aircraft based at San Carlos Airport will taxi on their own power on Redwood Shores Parkway to Sandpiper with police escort in front and back and “wing walkers” next to each moving aircraft to keep spectators at a safe distance. The aircraft will be on static display at Sandpiper all day. Pilots will be on hand to inspire children to learn math and science so they can make their dreams come true. Please look for details of this exciting event here in the May issue of The Pilot.
AIM HIGH. SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT!