Students at DSST Public Schools are building CubeSat Emulators in order to prepare for future aerospace careers. The hands-on, experiential, collaborative learning adventures allow students to connect to industry experts as CubeSat teams learn about CAD, coding, radio telemetry, analyzing data, soldering, project management, and careers in aerospace.
Thanks to the support of AIAA RMS, CubeSat Teams have successfully launched A3Sat CubeSat Emulators in high-altitude balloons for the last two years. Because the program has grown, we expect 2-3 launches in the spring of 2025. The CubeSat program at DSST Public Schools is now reaching 140 students at three high schools.
On our way to a quest to build CubeSats for LOE, students are designing scientific missions that will directly benefit their communities. SMEs (subject matter experts) from Lockheed Martin, NOAA, BAE Systems, and others have been working with students, inspiring and informing what is possible via collaboration and co-designing each learning adventure.
With the leadership of Gary Walker (DSST STEM Experiential Learning Manager), teams are able to create a long-term sustainable vision. Gary’s experience working in aerospace has allowed for deep connections to authentic aerospace systems and subsystems.
Along the way, the DSST Public Schools CubeSat teams have been invited to present at the SmallSat Education Conference at the Kennedy Space Center. While they were there they were able to watch a SpaceX launch and tour ULA.
DSST CubeSat teams, in collaboration with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the JEKL Institute, recently participated in a NASA downlink with astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams aboard the International Space Station.
Aerospace engineers and scientists are always welcome to meet students and offer advice. The approach we are using is called Collaborative Learning Adventures.
Collaborative Learning Adventures
Student Driven, Teacher Facilitated, Industry (SME) Inspired and Informed
Students will do the work via experiential, hands-on, and applied learning.
Facilitating Teachers facilitate a relationship between their students and subject matter experts.
Mentors inspire and inform by simply listening to students and offering advice.
To schedule a time to visit a DSST Public Schools CubeSat team, please reach out to Gary Walker at Gary.Walker@scienceandtech.org
Thank you, AIAA RMS, for your mentorship and support.
Gregg Cannady, D.M.A. | Sr. Manager of STEM and Student Experience
DSST Public Schools | dsstpublicschools.org
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