Astronaut Visits Lab School

Barbara Morgan Examines Student-grown “Space Basil”

NASA Astronaut, Barbara Radding Morgan, presented information on her experiences in space to Louisiana State University Laboratory School science classes on April 7, 2008. Following the Challenger accident, Morgan assumed the duties of Teacher In Space Designee. Morgan has logged more than 305 hours in space, completing her first space flight in 2007 as a mission specialist on the crew of STS-118, an assembly mission to the International Space Station.

University High School Principal Albert Camburn, PhD, said, “Barbara Morgan captivated our students. She is always a teacher.”

Visiting grades seven and up, Morgan was particularly interested in research conducted by Steven Babcock’s Physical Science Class. University High School physical science students are growing basil seeds from one of Morgan’s shuttle missions and comparing their growth with earthbound basil seeds.

Babcock said, “It’s been exciting for my students to plant and grow basil seeds that traveled with Barbara Morgan on SST 118 last October. When she visited the class the students were so proud that she took the time to examine the plants and review the data they collected.”

He added, “Watching their faces as she discussed their results was one of the greatest pleasures I have had as a teacher. Her ability to engage and motivate students is an inspiration.”

Next year Babcock plans to expand the University High science students’ studies to growing tomatoes from NASA seeds and to design and build lunar growth modules with an objective to investigate how plants can be grown in space.