High altitudes? These local students are in the know – Times Union

SCHENECTADY - Students from the Gloversville High-Altitude Achievement Club visited Innovative Test Solutions on Kings Road in Schenectady last week to observe testing on an educational satellite being launched into orbit as part of the Teachers in Space Program.

Teachers in Space is a national nonprofit that uses space exploration experiences to get students interested in science and math. Its name was inspired by NASAs Teacher in Space program that picked New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe to become the first school teacher to go into space. McAuliffe died along with the rest of her crew when the Challenger Space Shuttle broke up during launch in 1986.

Liz Kennick, president of Teachers in Space, said the Serenity 3u CubeSat satellite the students were able to test is being launched in either January or February.

The Gloversville students watched as the Serenitywas put through shock and vibration testing to ensure it can withstand "real-life" situations and atmospheres.

The Serenity satellite will perform tests in space designed by the Gloversville students.

Employees at Innovative Test Solutions, a mechanical engineering and testing laboratory, also hosted a half-day educational program for the Gloversville students, allowing them to watch materials tests.

There is nothing more exciting for our staff than to see the minds of future innovators open and expand through real world exposure to science and technology," said Lou Fiorini, director of operations of ITS. "When Teachers in Space approached us to assist with this program, we jumped at the opportunity to bring our expertise in durability and integrity testing to the project."

Continue reading here:

High altitudes? These local students are in the know - Times Union