SXSW EDU 2019: Alpha Rockets and More (By Russ Glenn, Physics and Honors Inquiry Project Instructor)

I was thrilled this year to represent St. Michael’s at SXSW EDU. SXSW EDU is a premiere opportunity for professional development for all educators. Although I was focused on educational innovations and research-based best practices, there were many other interesting workshops and presentations I was able to attend. Some highlights from the conference included:
  • Building Community: Weaving America’s Social Fabric with David Brooks
  • Dial Down the Stress Without Dumbing Down School with Denise Pope and Ian Kelleher
  • The Right Stuff is the Never Give Up Stuff with Astronaut Leland Melvin
  • Leveraging Technology to Make Expert Teachers with The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning
  • Unstick! Everyday Design Thinking Breakthroughs
  • The Google Lab
  • Invention Education with the Lemelson Foundation
  • Reconstruction: America After the Civil War with Henry Louis Gates Jr.
  • Identity Education through Songwriting with the faculty of Interlochen
Additionally, there were many workshops on implementing student-driven inquiry programs such as project-based learning across disciplines. The major highlight of the event for me was meeting with a representative from Austin-based Firefly Aerospace and being invited to visit their facilities.

While on the visit I had the opportunity to witness a test of their 41,000 pound thrust “Reaver” engine. Four of these engines will power the Firefly Alpha rocket they hope to launch in December of 2019. They aim to put small payloads into LEO (Low-Earth Orbit). I look forward to finding ways to get students involved with this “New Space” startup company here in our own city.
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