ASHEBORO Students at The Dream Center of Randolph County are playing a role in the U.S. Department of Educations ongoing effort to solve a national problem the critical shortage of students with mastery of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills.

Through an exciting out-of-school collaboration between the department and NASA, local students are conducting scientific observations of the natural environment and are learning the relevance of STEM skills to daily life.

The Dream Center is part of the departments 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, which focuses in part on exposing students in high-need schools to meaningful STEM-learning opportunities. One goal of the 21st CCLC program which will serve more than 1.5 million students in all 50 states in 2016 is to demonstrate the value of STEM skills both inside and outside the classroom, thereby raising student interest in STEM and related professions.

Since NASA first became a partner in 2013, available programs have grown from 20 sites in three states to nearly 146 sites across 15 states in 2016. This year, NASA will offer two options for unique STEM experiences: Engineering Design Challenges (EDC) and a Global Observation to Benefit Environment (GLOBE) investigation.

EDC introduces students to the engineering design process so they can develop solutions to real NASA challenges, such as how to land a spacecraft on Mars or grow plants in lunar habitats. GLOBE immerses students in scientific investigation techniques, such as data gathering, to learn how clouds impact the Earths climate. In both cases, students work with NASA engineers and scientists to receive feedback on their work, learn about STEM careers and find out what its like to work in science and engineering professions.

In 2016-2017, 23 students from both Asheboro and Randleman are participating in the NASA partnership program. Students are working in teams of four to design a Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) that will safely carry two astronauts through a series of landing trials. The CEV must fit inside the designated size constraint, weigh no more than 100 grams and safely carry two astronauts. Teams must design and build a vehicle with secure seats for the astronauts and include a hatch that stays closed during testing. The challenge also requires a model of an internal fuel tank on the vehicle. Students will complete the project and submit a video of the engineering design process they used to complete the project.

Dr. James Johnson, principal at Randleman Elementary School, explained the importance of the program.

Before becoming involved in this project, students often felt as if not knowing the answer to a problem or question was bad. Through STEM learning, the students have learned that the not knowing is where learning actually starts. They have learned to question the things they dont know and look for an answer.

The Dream Center of Randolph County is a free after-school program offered for under-resourced children in Randolph County. The program offers enrichment activities and tutoring to families with children in grades 6-8.

For more information, visit http://www.thedreamcenternc.org.

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Students work with NASA to land on Mars - Asheboro Courier Tribune