Northrop Grumman Foundation's
Weightless Flights of Discovery Program
How it all Started
Across the country, there is a growing concern regarding the number of students entering science, technology, engineering and mathematic careers. We know that one way to reverse that trend is to make science and math fascinating and applicable for the students. And, in order to engage the students, we have to have educators who are excited about what they do and can bring unique learning opportunities into their classrooms.
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Weightless Flights of Discovery Program on CNN's The Situation Room.
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Windows Media Video format
QuickTime video formatTurner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
To achieve this goal, Northrop Grumman launched the Weightless Flights of Discovery program in 2006. This unique, nationwide teacher professional development program is designed to inspire today’s students to pursue science and technical careers by inspiring their teachers first.
In its first year alone, the Weightless Flights of Discovery program was able to achieve maximum “reach” for the lessons of its microgravity “high school,” delivering inspiration to an estimated 10,000 elementary, middle school and high school students.
The program was developed in cooperation with the Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G), Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., a company that specializes in bringing the exhilaration of weightlessness to the general public. As part of the program, practicing classroom middle school teachers and future middle school teachers have the opportunity to participate in hands-on science workshops, and perform and experiment in a parabolic or "zero-gravity" aircraft flight that creates temporary weightlessness comparable to what humans would experience during space travel to the moon or Mars. It also mimics how astronauts train for space flights.
“Every engineer, every scientist, every technically trained person in our nation can look back and identify a teacher who played a significant role in his or her decision to pursue a technical career,” explains Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “The Weightless Flights of Discovery program is all about giving teachers the tools and experiences they need to show their students that math and science are not only entertaining, but can also be the basis for a fascinating career.”
Floating — A New Approach to Education
The Weightless Flights of Discovery program includes teacher workshops and parabolic flights in locations throughout the country. To see our 2010 workshop and flight schedule, click here.
In each workshop, teachers learn about the physics of weightlessness and what to expect on the zero gravity flight. They also design microgravity experiments that applied science, technology, engineering or mathematics principles to human activities in a weightless environment. During the weightless flight one or two weeks later, they conduct their experiments under the watchful eye of a video camera. Teachers then use their videotaped flight experience and the results of the experiments to help shape math, science, technology or engineering curricula at their home schools.
Transforming America's Classrooms
Teachers who participated in previous Weightless Flights of Discovery have reported through letters and e-mails that the fun and exhilaration they experienced during the program have begun showing up in their classrooms.
The flights have helped them demonstrate to students that math and science are not only “cool,” but also “fun,” a language understood by students worldwide. And the teachers now see themselves in a new light, as a critical cog in a process that will help restore U.S. leadership in scientific and technical excellence. This program is all about giving teachers the tools and experiences they need to show their students that math and science are not only entertaining but can also be the basis for a fascinating career.
Online Resource Guide for Educators
We developed an educators' guide as an online resource for teachers to learn more about the Weightless Flights of Discovery program. It provides insight on how to maximize the experience and take it back to the classroom to inspire students.
How to Apply
To apply for the 2010 Weightless Flights of Discovery Program, click on the appropriate link below:
Eligibility and Requirements
Eligibility:
- If you teach STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, math) at an accredited public middle school or a college student majoring in education, near locations where flights will take place, you may submit an application to participate in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program
- Special consideration will be given to educators in underserved communities and at schools with underperforming math and science scores
- Only teachers who have not previously participated in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program are eligible to apply
Requirements:
- Obtain and submit a letter of recommendation, on school letterhead, from the school principal or the math or science department chair. If you are a future teacher enrolled in an education program, please obtain and submit a letter of recommendation, on school letterhead, from your department chair.
- Have the ability to obtain release time from school to participate in the workshop and flight
- Complete and submit the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery application
- Complete a post-flight analysis survey
2010 Flight Schedule
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McAllen, TX |
Cincinnati, OH |
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Gulfport, MS |
Salt Lake City, UT |
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Memphis, TN |
Honolulu, HI |
How a Zero Gravity Flight Works
Zero gravity flights are performed using a specially modified aircraft, an FAA approved aircraft called G-Force One. The maneuvers are conducted in dedicated airspace 100 miles long by 10 miles wide. Specially trained pilots fly the aircraft in a series of maneuvers called parabolas, or arcs, between the altitudes of 24,000 and 32,000 feet.
At the beginning of each parabola, the aircraft climbs at a 45-degree angle. At the “top” of the parabola, the aircraft is “pushed over” into a controlled descent that creates a temporary zero-gravity environment. The teacher flights include approximately 15 parabolas ranging from low-gravity environments typical of the moon (1/6th G) or Mars (1/3 G) to complete weightlessness. At the end of each “weightless” period, which lasts approximately 30 seconds, the aircraft is gradually pulled out of the descent, reestablishing a more normal gravity environment inside the plane.
Teachers Testimonials
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“Participating in the Weightless Fights of Discovery program has been one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life! I will be incorporating this invaluable experience within the curriculum for many years to come.” Ed Grillo |
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“My mission as a teacher has been enhanced and supported in ways I never expected.” Gary Bodman |
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“A lot of the students went home and explained it to their parents and then logged onto YouTube and showed them the video from the flight.” Doug Creef |
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"I have inspired my students not only to consider studying the sciences, but on the broader level that they are capable of great things and incredible experiences if they are willing to work for them." Dionne Miller Couture |
Contact information
Teachers and Educational Institutions
For teachers and education institutions looking for addtional information, please contact Cheryl Horn at (310) 556-4992
Media Contact
For media questions and requests, please contact Gus Gulmert at (703) 875-8450 or gus.gulmert@ngc.com
Application Status
Thank you for your interest in the Northrop Grumman Foundation's Weightless Flights of Discovery program. For additional information, please send an e-mail to WeightlessFlights@ngc.com.
All Other Questions
For all other questions regarding this program, please contact the Weightless Flights of Discovery Program at (888) 478-5478.
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