LMK Science Teacher Fred DePalma Shoots for the Moon

Louis M. Klein Middle School eighth grade science teacher Fred DePalma spent his winter school break becoming a Certified Lunar Rock and Meteorite Specialist from NASA and will now be able to have his students study the actual rocks and lunar samples that astronauts brought back to earth from the Apollo moon missions.

“The moon rocks are national treasures,” said DePalma. “Only certified specialists are allowed to have these and they travel with their own security protocol. We will be the only school around to have access to these samples.”

The lunar rocks, particles, and dust will be on display in Mr. DePalma’s 8th grade classroom from now until April 26th, 2016 and will coincide with the 8th grade curriculum unit of rocks and minerals. Mr. DePalma is excited to apply his NASA learning to excite students about soil samples, pieces of meteorites that are found against the Antarctica snow, the differences between the “light and dark sides” of the moon, and space travel.

“Our students’ perception of space is what they see in movies such as Star Wars, Interstellar and The Martian,” he said. “Growing up, we were captivated by the astronauts leaving Earth and actually landing on the moon. I tell my students that when we landed on the moon, I was in the eighth grade. I was where they are today. The astronauts were our rock stars – our heroes.”

While at NASA in February, Mr. DePalma also received hands on learning centered on the new James Webb Telescope that is scheduled to launch into space in the fall of 2018, an addition to the Hubbell and Spitzer Space Telescopes. Alongside other teachers, he learned about the distinctive “hot side” and “cold sides” of the telescope. He learned how the solar panels are being constructed and was able to visit the “Clean Room” where assembly is occurring and how one tiny particle of dust can change or even ruin the science.

With NASA astronaut Scott Kelley returning to earth after a nearly year long mission to the International Space Station, Mr. DePalma is excited for the possibility of other space travel to occur – possibly to Mars or Venus or even Jupiter, whose 64 moons are a lot like Earth.

“The connection to space is a fantasy,” said DePalma. “The universe is beautiful with astounding colors and patterns. There is certain romanticism to it. I hope to generate a little passion in my students with this connection. All you need is one.”