Breaking Down Traditional Classroom Walls and Studying Spacesuits Abroad

The spacesuit curriculum under development by the Spacesuit Utilization of Innovative Technology Laboratory (S.U.I.T. Lab) in the Spaceflight Operations program of the Applied Aviation Sciences Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has the unique challenge of educating non-engineering students about extremely technical space systems, highlighted by spacesuits. CSO 399: “Spacesuits and Human Spaceflight Operations” course, taught in Greece each summer, introduces students to human spaceflight topics. This unique offering takes advantage of the clear water visibility in the Aegean Sea with practical underwater demonstrations of space operations. Students live in confined quarters on a sailboat for two weeks to simulate operations in a close-quarter space station, emulating astronaut living experiences. Hiking Mount Astráka in the Zagori region of Greece created an immersed environment to learn about spacewalk preparations for extravehicular activities. This course is innovative by taking students outside of the classroom to do hands-on, or gloveson, learning. Students taking this course have a drive to obtain a career in the spaceflight industry. By taking this course, students developed an understanding of the design process of human-rated spacecraft and spacesuits required to aid humans in exploring the cosmos. Nontraditional learning was reinforced by the uniqueness of the program teaching “anywhere but a classroom and included locales such as an amphitheater on the beach, catacombs, monasteries, a church courtyard, and as micro-lessons along the way, on sailboats, buses, hotels, and underwater. By changing the locations and having students constantly adapt to new learning environments they were able to grasp a feel for the constant changing pace of the space industry and the thrill of exploration

Sue Macchiarella

Sue Macchiarella is the Director of the Office of Global Engagement at ERAU. She is celebrating 10 years at ERAU this month! Sue is part of 4 generations of her family who have served in the military: her grandfather, her father, herself, and her daughter Amanda. Amanda is also an ERAU Daytona Beach campus alumna, having gotten both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at ERAU. Additionally, Sue’s husband, Dan, is a U.S. Army veteran and works at ERAU. Sue and her husband were stationed in Germany for 5 years, and were in West Germany when the wall came down. Sue earned her Air Assault badge, and jumped with the black hats of Fort Benning.https://commons.erau.edu/veterans-week-images/1017/thumbnail.jp

Personal Reflections of a Military Wife in a Civilian World [SAM]

It affected me on several levels; as a military wife, a military vet, as part of the military community, as a friend to those affected whether military or civilian, and as a mom. I think, for me, there was a period of time everything felt surreal...almost like I wasn\u27t living in this crazy world but experiencing it. It was a very strange feeling. I also felt very protective of what we hold dear: family, freedom, rights, religion, basically our way of life, choice... I was angry, I was sad, I was reflective...I dug my heels in even more as a patriot and wanting to protect this great country I live in. As a military wife, I worried if my husband would go to war and what would that war look like? As a mom, I worried for my daughter\u27s future above all. If this can happen here to this magnitude, what else is out there? What is her future? Of course, this translates to anyone with children but I am focused on mine for this piece. Years later my daughter would commission in the U.S. Army and serve in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She and her husband both serve to this day. I also remember, when all flights were canceled, looking up between some clouds and seeing an F-15 flying overhead. When I saw that I felt a bit peaceful knowing that our men and women in uniform were working to keep us safe. And, that surreal feeling flooded over me again. When there were no other flights in America, our military was crossing the skies protecting those below. I think as a result, I will never take our freedom for granted. I realize that, in the blink of an eye, all we know and love can change in an instant. I also believe that regardless of our background, religious beliefs, cultural upbringing, or political leanings, we will always walk a fine line trying to balance freedom and trust because of 9/11

2020 PIEoneer Award Winner

Winner: Real life learning awardEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University, US - Study Abroad Program: Kosovo & ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems PartnershipEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida specializes in aviation and aerospace and has been at the forefront of ground-breaking aeronautical milestones since the early days of flight. Using aviation and aerospace technology for some surprising purposes, students from Kosovo and the US worked together to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) carrying cameras to document cultural heritage locations for preservation