by Rachel
On July 2nd, 2014, we presented our experiment at the 2014 Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Not only were we able to share our experiment with others, but we were also able to listen to presentations by fellow student scientists from all over the country.
On July 2nd, 2014, we presented our experiment at the 2014 Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Not only were we able to share our experiment with others, but we were also able to listen to presentations by fellow student scientists from all over the country.
My family and Joe’s made the trek to Washington DC the day before the conference, but Mrs. Voigt and Gabe were already in DC for VEX Robotics Finals since one of PSA’s teams, the Fembots, were competing.
I don’t think I have ever been more excited in my life. The whole conference was, for lack of a better word, a magical experience. As mere high schoolers, we were able to present at a Smithsonian Institution.The conference began with time to roam the bottom floor of the Air and Space Museum before it opened. The Air and Space Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world, so having time to roam without the raucous crowds was special in itself. The Museum is so beautiful when it’s empty.
I don’t think I have ever been more excited in my life. The whole conference was, for lack of a better word, a magical experience. As mere high schoolers, we were able to present at a Smithsonian Institution.The conference began with time to roam the bottom floor of the Air and Space Museum before it opened. The Air and Space Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world, so having time to roam without the raucous crowds was special in itself. The Museum is so beautiful when it’s empty.
Dr. Hurricane Goldstein then gave a welcome speech in the Boeing Milestones of Flight gallery, in front of the Apollo 11 Command Module, which was the living quarters during the first manned mission to the Moon. If you’ve never heard Hurricane Goldstein speak, I highly recommend rectifying that. His speeches are really something.
The presentations were held in the Moving Beyond Earth Gallery, which explores the recent occurrences in the space station era of space exploration. We were very nervous, but I think we did okay!
Another team from PSA also presented on their experiment on the oxidization of iron tensile bars in a saltwater solution. As the flight experiment from Mission 4, they were able to present their results.