ASFS Space Shuttle Simulator
Michael S. Stanton Student Space Center
The system was created and constructed by Michael S.Stanton, who is employed in the Defense Industry and a Retired Navy Chief, to allow elementary students the opportunity to take part in real time shuttle mission control launch and landing simulations. He designed and made the shuttle simulator and designed the Mission Control software himself with assistance and input from NASA. The simulator was originally housed at Belvidere Elementary School in Falls Church and for the past 15 years and has undergone periodic updates and additions. It was used primarily as an after-school activity for students, and run by Mike himself. Three years ago the school no longer had space available and Mike contacted us at Arlington Science Focus School, and offered the simulator and software to us at no cost. We were happy to accept and excited to now have this tremendous asset to include in our list of offerings in our weekly Science City program for students.
The simulator itself is approximately12 feet long by 8 feetwide and stands 8 feet tall, and is a realistic scale mockup of the interior of the space shuttle cabin, complete with control panels and switches. There is room for 4 students acting as the flight crew with computers during each mission.The Launch Control Center Crew totals 16 separate computer consoles, and can accommodate up to 12 additional students to run the remainder of the Launch Control tasks contained in the computer software. This software is installed on 28 computers inside the computer lab that serves as the Launch Control Center. To complete the realistic feel of the experience, each student is connected into a networked VOIP communications system that is used during each simulation.
Classroom Technology Available at ASFS: Our goal is to produce students who are confident and competent in the use of technology as it relates to their production of authentic classroom products. We believe strongly that the most important factor in developing student confidence and competence is “time spent on the keyboard”, on a regular basis, in the completion of day to day instruction-based assignments and projects.
To this end Grades 2-5 have 10 computers available for daily student use in each classroom, with Kindergarten and Grade 1 having 5 computers available. Additionally we have a full computer lab with 28 workstations as well as 2 computers in each Special Education and ESOL/HILT classroom. The Library maintains 12 student workstations for research and our Exemplary Program, Investigation Station has a class set of 30 iPads provided by the ASFS PTA Science and Technology Advisory Committee.
