WELCOME !

to the

GREATER HOULTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

AEROSPACE SCIENCE LABORATORY

27 School Street  <O>  Houlton, MainE 04730  USA

GHCA Office: (207) 532-0736   <O>  FAX: (207) 532-9553 

ASL Director: Peter M. Hurd  <O>  ASL Office: (207) 532-2823 

  Email: N1SS@ainop.com

The GHCA-ASL Mission

1. Provide GHCA K-12 students with a comprehensive understanding of the aerospace sciences by integrating practical aerospace-related projects with their normal academic GHCA curricula.

2. Provide an aerospace science educational resource to local area students who have a serious interest in an aerospace-related career.

3. Provide an educational resource for parents and teachers having an interest in aerospace science and technology.

TYPICAL  ASL PROJECTS

• Our student have processed  parts for three NASA "Starshine" satellites placed in earth orbit since 1999. More than 200 local area students have had their names recorded in the Starshine 1, 2 & 3 satellites. The GHCA was the first Maine schoolhouse to participate in the Starshine project, and is the only Maine school to have participated in all three NASA Starshine research satellites.

• Introduction to aircraft flight theory, operations & technology.

• Principles and procedures of instrument flight for student pilots.

• Aviation history and lessons learned regarding technology & engineering.

• Practical problems related to mathematics & physics  for aspiring pilots.

• Why satellites 'fly' and how to spot nearly 100 on a clear night with the naked eye.

• Fundamentals of "HAM" radio operations and technology for non-HAMs.

• Application of math & physical science principles in the International Space Station.

• Three academic experiments for HAM radio operators using the ISS in earth orbit.

•  Practical experiments using a short-wave radio receiver in the study of foreign languages.

• The International Aviation Art Contest .... 70+% of Maine contest winners have been GHCA students.  Join the students in 2003 and have your artwork on display in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Washington DC.

• Weather observer training & reporting for the National Weather Service (Caribou Forecasting Office.)

• Model aircraft assembly, flight & repair procedures.

• Air & space research projects.... reading, writing, & speaking for the serious student interested in college scholarships.

• Air navigation techniques ... how to get really there from here, when the wind blows.

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   Aerospace Science Lab Milestones

1997 - ASL opens in December with donated and loaned (HF + VHF) HAM radio station equipment.

1998 - Computer added for satellite orbital predictions & communications with the MIR Space Station.  Contacts established with Russian Cosmonaut Valeri Kurzon aboard the MIR over Houlton.  First Starshine satellite reflectors processed by GHCA students, sent to NASA and after inspection, approved for flight. ASL sponsors Boy Scouts of America Troop #156 to fabricate a reflector for the Starshine-1 satellite.

1999 - Computer-based flight simulator installed with "Pro-Pilot 99" instrument training software. NASA launches STARSHINE-1 satellite from orbiting Shuttle in June; GHCA becomes Maine's flagship schoolhouse for the STARSHINE satellite series. First GHCA student to complete our HAM radio course & obtains his FCC Novice class license is Jason Marshall. The ASL assists local BSA Troop #156 to become the first Boy Scout troop in the world to have their names in earth orbit aboard the NASA STARSHINE-1 satellite. GHCA students win all age/place categories for the International Aviation Art Contest competition in Maine.  

2000 - 2001 Packet radio capability operational in the ASL HAM radio VHF station. NOAA National Weather Service meteorologist visits the ASL and later presents formal class for WX Spotters. GHCA students again win most of the 9 awards in the Maine competition for the International Aviation Art Contest.

2001 - 2002 GHCA students secure four of the nine awards for the Maine competition of the International Aviation Art Contest. Starshine-2 and 3  satellites are launched into earth orbit with many local area students names aboard. On December 16 at 1528 GMT,  NASA astronaut Dan Tani pays a silent  tribute to Chris Hiscoe of Houlton during the launch of the SS-2 satellite from the Endeavour (STS-108) mission. Chris died at age 14 due to a serious, but unknown heart defect earlier in the year. His picture was placed above the "Hitch-Hiker" satellite launch controls just prior to the SS-2 ejection into orbit.

2002 - 2003 A new dedicated classroom for aerospace science instruction is opened next to the HAM Radio & Flight Simulator room. Generous financial donations permit equipping the new classroom with instructional equipment and furniture. HAM radio license classes begin. Starshine 4 reflectors are processed and returned to NASA on time, and accepted for a future launch from a Shuttle mission. 

The Association of Christian Schools  International,  awards the GHCA their coveted "Exemplary School Award" for the development and educational activities of the GHCA Aerospace Science Laboratory during the past three years.

GHCA students win 94% of the Maine competition, International Aviation Art Contest. The GHCA academic year concludes with aerospace science-related activities, projects, and formal classes for 80% of our 170 K-12 students. Aerospace science curriculum revisions are started to meet Maine state and U.S. national standards. Complete implementation planned for the 2003-2004 academic year. 

NASA representatives visit the GHCA and declare the aerospace science lab to be the first such facility for K-12 students they have seen in New England.

During 2003, GHCA graduate Jason Marshall upgraded his FCC "HAM" radio license to General Class,  and earned his FAA Private Pilot License while a student at LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas. He is currently working in the avionics shop at Telford Aviation, KBGR and returns to his studies in September, 2003.

GHCA student Benjamin Bell receives tuition assistance from the Houlton International Flying Club to attend the 2003 Aviation Career Education Camp in Bangor, Maine. Award made to recognize his superior academic record at the GHCA and his well-recognized enthusiasm to pursue an aviation career.

(Updated 20030721)