SEARCH: Space and Kids

Space and Kids
by Kay Tracy

Many children are fascinated by space science. This can be a bit intimidating for parents but fear not. There are many resources available to you at little or no cost to help you participate with your children in their quest for knowledge!

If you are in the USA, then NASA has resources you can download and access at no cost to you.

If you want to get the latest news on Mars and other planetary missions, then the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena is an excellent site to check out. JPL has a history of sending a disc or data device with the names of people who submit them, for different planetary missions. I have at times included these printable certificates with birthday cards for friends and family. With everything from paper models you can download and build, to online and downloadable space and flight simulators, their education site is top notch!

Rocketry gets made easy with a plastic soda bottle and some paper and PVC!

Continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

SEARCH: Women and the Future of Space

Women and the Future of Space
by Camellia Rains

I wanted to write a piece that was important to me and decided to write about the future of space; specifically, the future of women in space and science.

You may have heard of the acronym STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics.) These types of curriculums are getting a lot of attention now and are being directed toward young women to encourage them to choose careers in the sciences. Everywhere you look there is talk about our future in space, the moon, Mars, and beyond. We are in another space race, and those who will get us there will be our youth.

I had the pleasure of attending two STEM/ STEAM events recently that are encouraging our young women to pursue careers in fields that have been typically dominated by men … continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

SEARCH: Reaching For The Stars

Reaching For The Stars
by Lillian Csernica  

People with autistic spectrum disorder sometimes develop a strong interest in a specific subject. That interest can progress to what some might call an obsession. 

While neurotypical children may grow out of a particular “hobby” and move on to more age-appropriate subjects, ASD children often find what they like and stick with it. In the educational field, the term “preferred interests” describes the activities or areas of study that interest ASD people the most, distinguishing the interest from being a fixation or an instance of perseveration.

In January 2017, Kristin Patten Koenig and Lauren Hough Williams published Characterization and Utilization of Preferred Interests: A Survey of Adults on the Autism Spectrum. The study explains why these “preferred interests” are not drawbacks but vital elements… Continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

SEARCH: Got Space

Got Space
by Donna Medina

What if you only had to walk a few feet to your favorite gym? Would you exercise more? If yes, setting up an in-home workout space is an ideal option for you. Individuals have various purposes and reasons for creating a home gym. Some want to transform their additional space to an in-home workout space, allowing them to continue working out in the comfort of their own home. Others may want to invest in a home gym to add value and functionality to their homes. Regardless of the reason, setting up a home workout space is a brilliant idea.

Making an ultimate commitment to your happiness and health
Creating an in-home workout space is not an easy feat, especially if you are clueless on when, how, and where to start. The good thing is there are helpful ways that will guide you in the process of creating an effective and convenient in-home workout space.  Below are a few tips to get you going on the right track:  … Continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

SEARCH: Rolled Cinnamon Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Rolled Cinnamon Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
by Brian and Patricia Dake

Picnics make summer outings complete, so we wanted to share a fun idea with a Mediterranean flare.

As the early warmth of autumn cools and the days lengthen, it’s common to lean toward more indoor activities and family entertainments. This is the perfect time of year to pull out the baking supplies and have a bit of fun.  Making sugar cookies can feel like a project, so I prefer to plan ahead. While the entire endeavor can be completed in just one day, I will often spread the process out over three days, especially if I am working with younger children.

*Early in the morning or Day One: Mix up the dough.

*Mid-day or Day Two: Roll out the dough, cut into shapes and bake. Allow time for the plain cookies to cool.

*In the afternoon or on Day Three: Mix the up the frosting, get out food coloring, nuts and sprinkles and have a blast.

Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary items. Growing up in my mother’s house, everything I needed was at my fingertips. Once I moved out, … continue reading the Fall 2019 issue.

 

SEARCH: The Importance of Space Research

The Importance of Space Research
by A.R. Neal

Ask anyone why exploring and researching space is important, and the number of answers would likely exceed the number of people in this galaxy. Two major entities tasked with space research offer views as to why such exploration is important.

The European Space Agency (ESA) scientists suggest that one of the best ways to understand things that make the planet function is to examine comets, asteroids, moons, other planets, and space events like solar storms. ESA’s projects include investing in the science of space research, which provides economic stimulus in the form of jobs and industries that relate to the technologies–like spacecraft, telescopes, microscopes, and computers–that make it all work. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) leaders have identified similar goals, such as… continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

SEARCH: Robots: Doing What We Can’t in Space

Robots: Doing What We Can’t in Space

by Jim Keller

Today, the farthest humans can go into space is the International Space Station, two hundred and forty miles above the surface of Earth. Humans have never ventured farther than the Moon, roughly 230,000 miles from home.

Today, robotic explorers are crawling on the surface of another planet, chasing asteroids, and even voyaging out beyond the edge of our solar system over, 13 billion miles away. Why are robots doing all the cool, science-fiction stuff?

There are a lot of good reasons to use robots in space instead of humans. First of all, we’re kind of squishy. Robots can be built to withstand the deadly environments in space, anything from extreme heat to extreme cold, vacuum, high-radiation, and more, without getting killed. Robots can also be built with sensors we don’t have, like magnetometers, spectrometers, and the ability to see ultraviolet and infrared light. In short, robots are doing things we can’t.

Even if it’s something we hope humans will do eventually, it’s important to send robots first. NASA landed seven Surveyor robots on the Moon before… Continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

 

SEARCH: Lancaster – Palmdale

Lancaster – Palmdale

by Jim Keller

Lancaster and Palmdale form a metropolitan area with deep roots in Aerospace in the Mojave Desert in northern Los Angeles County. Known for summer heat and Joshua trees, the area is renowned for its desert beauty.

In some years, a springtime bloom of wildflowers paints the desert green, orange, yellow, and purple.

Nearby–using California’s skewed definition of nearby–is Edwards Air Force Base, where Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier and the space shuttle used to land. The specially modified 747 used to transport space shuttles is on display at the Palmdale’s Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, an aircraft museum featuring about 20 planes… Continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue.

 

SEARCH: Musica Universalis

Musica Universalis

by Elliot Thorpe

Those of you who are musicians are fully aware of the relation of the pitch of a musical note and the length of the string that produces it.

The discovery of this relationship was attributed to Pythagoras some 2,500 years ago. He subsequently proposed that our Sun, the Earth’s moon, and all the planets (then discovered) all emitted their own hum, uniquely based on their orbital revolution. He also suggested that quality of life on Earth itself reflected the pitch of said hum. Plato furthered this notion by saying that astronomy and music were naturally twinned together because of the mathematical knowledge required to understand them. Aristotle came by and basically said all that was rubbish, that Pythagoras was being beard-stroking, overly poetic, and if there was such a hum created by the planets, it’d be so loud as to outdo the largest most ferocious thunderstorm, and we’d all be deaf by tea time.

Anyway, this Pythagorean concept was named musica universalis, literally translated as ‘universal music’ or as it’s more commonly known, Music of the Spheres. … continue reading the Fall 2019 issue of SEARCH.

SEARCH: Author Spotlight on Jim Keller

Author Spotlight on Jim Keller

Location: Los Angeles County

What made you interested in writing for this issue of SEARCH magazine?  A friend of mine used to be on the SEARCH staff. She introduced me to the magazine, and I enjoyed the all-ages format. When she told me about the spacethemed issue, I was like, “Wait! Space science is what I write. I think I’m morally obligated to pitch something…”

What was your favorite thing to do as a child?  Harassing my siblings. Isn’t that the favorite pastime of every child with siblings?  🙂

Do you have a hot tip for us?  You won’t believe this,  … continue reading in the Fall 2019 issue of SEARCH.