Job Corps students work with NASA

Students consider aeronautical careers

COLUMBIA BASIN — A glider designed by Columbia Basin Job Corps students could explore the surface of Mars someday.

Students are creating prototypes of Mars gliders through a science program, working in conjunction with NASA. They teleconference with NASA representatives to discuss their designs and gain consideration for one of 600 internships with the organization.

The prototype project is called "Shoebox Project" because a requirement in the design is they include a shoebox.

"Shoebox Project is a metaphor for getting your shoe in the door," said instructor Phyllis Magden. "So they've got their shoe in the door with NASA when they finish this."

The program was brought to Job Corps through the Wellpinit School District on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Magden is an employee of the Wellpinit School District.

Columbia Basin Job Corps is the only Job Corps in the Pacific Northwest to offer the program, Magden said.

"I don't know of any other group that is working with NASA in the same respect as we are," she said.

About nine students are currently enrolled in the program.

Three other projects are offered to students in the class in addition to the glider project, giving them opportunities to continue fostering a relationship with NASA, Magden said.

"NASA is looking for fresh new ideas from fresh new minds, and this is how they're finding ways to regenerate their scientists," she said.

Job Corps student Glenda Campos, 24, said she planned to become a pharmacy technician when she first came to Job Corps. Now, she wants to get her foot in the door with NASA. She hopes to gain an internship with them.

The internships are offered in robotics through the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Magden said.

"I had taken science classes and stuff in high school, but nothing like this." Campos said. "Nothing compares to NASA science."

The biggest challenge she faces in designing the glider is getting measurements exact.

Student Darrell Dawson, 22, created three prototypes, taking a process-of-elimination approach to the design. Dawson said he spent about 13 hours the past two weeks studying aeronautics on his own, and he recently began studying flight simulation. He plans to become an aerospace research engineer with NASA.

The biggest challenge for him in designing the glider is finding its center balance, he said.

Student Stephanie Burris, 18, planned to enter nursing when she first arrived at Job Corps. Now she hopes to pursue a career with NASA as an engineer, depending on whether she gets an internship.

"I think it's an awesome class," Burris said. "It's nice finally having a science class that you can build something and it will also help you find a career."

Members of the community can bring lightweight materials to Job Corps to assist students in building gliders, Magden said. Job Corps is located at 6739 24th Street in Moses Lake.