Guest Blog Post - Classroom Laboratory at the Edge of Space: Introducing the Mini-Cube Program

Gregory N. Cecil

“In November of 2013, Grace Lutheran Middle School Science students, under the instruction of Mr. Cecil, embarked on the longest and most complicated endeavor ever done in their short academic careers, called, “Mini-Cube.” The Mini-Cube Project was completed in May of 2014.

The students at Grace Lutheran worked to design, build, and package 16 experiments to be sent to an altitude of 100,000 feet or 20 miles, more commonly known as “the edge of space” by high altitude balloon.” – Opening statement to parents at the opening of the cubes by the students.

Sending experiments to the “edge of space” may seem to be an expensive feat capable only by NASA, but many students as young as age 11 (6th grade) have been designing multiple experiments and sending them up for several years now for less than $350.00 per flight using JP Aerospace’s Mini-Cube Program. The book, Classroom Laboratory at the Edge of Space, was written by former space shuttle worker and science teacher Gregory Cecil to show step by step how this “informal” STEM Project Based Learning Activity can be carried out by most secondary and homeschools in an affordable manner and within the traditional school year based on the “lessons learned” by this author and his students. This activity will result in a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to conduct real science in their own space program at the “edge of space.”

“A Mini-Cube is a 5 cubic centimeter plastic cube that can be modified in any manner by a team or group of teams to accommodate their experiment(s) and is flown to an altitude of 100,000 feet or 20 miles by high altitude balloon to the “edge of space” by JP Aerospace. The cube can hold 4 or more trays or racks of experiments and the total weight cannot exceed 240 grams.” (Cecil, M.A.S., 2015)

This book was written for secondary public and private school STEM instructors, home schooling, and undergraduate STEM courses of study explaining how to set up their own student focused “space program” utilizing the Mini-Cube Program. With this STEM Project Based Learning Activity, students can have the unique, affordable, and challenging opportunity to send experiments via high altitude balloon to an altitude of 100,000 feet (20 miles or 32 km), commonly known as the “edge of space.”

Utilizing the scientific method, team work, research, and communicating in writing the results and applications for peer review, students will participate in the full cycle of an actual experiment from the original question to the published results and conduct true science at the edge of space.

“Classroom Laboratory at the Edge of Space: Introducing the Mini-Cube Program” can be found on Amazon Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/Classroom-Laboratory-Edge-Space-Introducing-ebook/dp/B00XTPLBKQ/ref=pd_ybh_1. A print version is also available, go to https://www.createspace.com/5508539.

Please note that this author does not work for nor receives any compensation from JP Aerospace.

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Gregory N. Cecil, M.A.S.
K-12 Outreach and Social Media Coordinator-SpaceTEC
SpaceTEC Nationally Certified Aerospace Technician
Adjunct Instructor Aerospace Technology Program-Eastern Florida State College
CEO-AeroSTEM Consulting, LLC
Author: Classroom Laboratory at the Edge of Space: Introducing the Mini-Cube Program

Gregory N. Cecil, M.A.S. is the only Florida State Certified Educator and Nationally Certified Aerospace Technician in the nation. Currently, Greg provides Aerospace STEM consulting for schools and companies, conducts workshops for STEM teachers, and gives presentations on subjects related to STEM and Human Spaceflight.

Kirkwood Education Online - Guest Blog Post

With over 40 years continuous research and development, Kirkwood Education Online has a proven track record of fostering strong Christian character growth and high academic achievement.

This preschool through elementary mastery learning program is completely individualized and includes video instruction, interactive lessons, and 75 workbooks in PDF format. Student records are maintained and accessible in real time, along with printable weekly award certificates and progress reports.

Students are guided through six levels of character growth. Academic achievement accelerates as students learn to take responsibility for their own education. Self-esteem building exercises promote spiritual growth, interpersonal skills, and strong work ethic. Daily discipleship lessons encourage students to store the truth of God's Word in their minds and hearts.

The homeschool program is available on a monthly subscription, and is absolutely free for the first month. Academic Summer Camp is also available, and includes a free online assessment.

Kirkwood Education Online is committed to providing homeschool families with a system of education that will truly enable every child to develop as much of their God-given potential as possible. It should be noted that that Kirkwood Education Online is not aligned with common core.

by Janet Slinkard

Sight Words: Fun, FREE, and Instructional - Guest Blogger Post

Sight Words Snakes & Ladders is one of our most popular sight word games.

My name is Margo and I would like to let y’all know about a new resource I've developed with the Georgia Preschool Association to teach children to read: SightWords.com (http://www.sightwords.com/sight-words/).

At SightWords.com we show you a variety of teaching techniques to introduce new words to your child and review old words. One day’s instruction time can include just 10 minutes of lesson time followed by 20 minutes of game time. Our sight words games reinforce the lessons through repetition, but wrapped up in fun variations of classic kids’ games!

SightWords.com is packed with free and printable resources, designed to promote learning in both formal and informal settings. The content is simple to use and tailored to the needs of homeschooling parents:

•        Twelve fun Games from Candy Land to Bingo, easy to print and customize

•        Customizable Flash Cards in three different sizes

•        Classroom-tested Lessons based on the latest research, complete with “how-to” videos

•        Templates of all our materials using the Fry and Dolch sight word lists

We have created a fun, easy-to-use, and FREE curriculum for sight words instruction. You are invited to take this knowledge and make the most of your child’s early education!

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Margo Edwards is the Director of Content Development at SightWords.com, a website dedicated to providing free resources—from lessons to flashcards to games—that promote child literacy. 

Fun Water Safety Lessons for Young Children - Guest Blogger Post

Via Flickr – by peasap

“Mommy, Sam pushed Mark into the water.” “Mommy, Cooper keeps running around the pool.” “Mommy, Mason dove in a no-diving area.” Maybe he has law enforcement in his future or will one day be an excellent lifeguard, but my son is definitely a stickler for pool rules…and that makes me so happy.

I love the water and I wanted my kids to love the water, too, but I also wanted them to be safe. As a result, my husband and I began teaching them water safety at an early age and took them to swim lessons as soon as they were old enough.

If you have a young child, there’s no better time than now to begin teaching them about water safety. A great place to start is this extensive guide on recreational swimming safety. It offers a comprehensive overview of the rules you’ll want to teach your child. Then, help them become water safety experts with these simple steps:

First, get them used to the water. Your child’s first experience with the water could determine how they feel about water moving forward. The Alliance for Early Childhood provides great advice on how to make it a good one. For example, the organization recommends making your child feel comfortable and protected by always holding them firmly while in the water.

Second, make it fun. Use these activities to teach your child about water safety and help them become strong swimmers:

• Safety is Cool at the Pool. This activity from KidsHealth.org is a great introduction to pool and water safety rules for Pre-K to 2nd Grade-age students. In it, they’ll create a water bottle label that features the rules they’ve learned.
• Red Light, Green Light. Of course, strong kicks are a key part of safe swimming. This activity from TodaysParent.com has your child hold on to the side of the pool or a shallow end step. Say “Green light!” Then, your child should start kicking. Say “Red light!” And they should stop. It’s great kicking practice and great exercise.
• Danger Rangers. If you find yourself stuck inside because of the weather, use the time to continue your kids’ education in water safety. My kids love the activities at DangerRangers.com. There are many different sections on safety. The one on water safety features songs, videos, and printable coloring pages.

I can’t stress enough how smart it is to start teaching your kids about water safety at an early age. Not only will doing so help protect them from potential danger, they’ll be much more receptive at an early age than they will once they’re older. It gives me comfort that my kids have taken what I’ve taught them to heart, and I think a big part of that is that my husband and I began preaching water safety to them at a young age.

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Patricia Sarmiento is an avid swimmer and runner. She blogs regularly about health, wellness, fitness, and other health topics. She is a former high school and college athlete and continues to make fitness a focus in her everyday life. She lives with her husband, son, daughter, and the family dog in Maryland.