SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Valley Christian High School, (VCHS) located in San Jose, California, is about to set a new world record with four unique science experiments set to blast off from French Guiana, on the east coast of South America. The launch, scheduled for 9:31AM PDT March 22, 2012, will be the school’s second Microlab experiment to board the International Space Station (ISS).
VCHS’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students have designed four new science experiments called Microlabs, a micro-computer controlled, self-contained, miniature science lab in a container that is 4” x 4.5” x 6" that will plug into racks on the ISS. These small quad science experiment lab containers fit into slightly larger containers, called NanoLabs, a totally new, innovative proprietary design concept. The school’s students are sending two of these to the ISS and have taught three other schools in California how to do the same.
"The incorporation of meaningful, fun, engaging, hands-on, STEM education to young people today is mission critical if we want our country to get back into creating the world's best engineers, scientists, and technologists", asserts Werner Vavken, Director of Students for the VCHS’ Applied Math, Science, and Engineering (AMSE) Institute, "We are excited that this program is gaining traction and is helping other schools, as well."
With the success of the previous year’s experiments, the students wanted to challenge themselves by sending up more experiments and by creating interest at other schools. That led to the development of the new NanoLab platform that allows four experiments to go to the ISS into about the same space as last year's experiment. It was a huge success. For the 2012-13 school year, VCS will partner with up to ten schools. Six new partner schools have already committed; interested schools should contact Mr. Vavken at wvavken@vcs.net.
The science experiments are described in detail, with photos, on the VCHS AMSE website. High definition video clips are available upon request. Last year, the school sent its first experiment to the ISS (see previous ABC-TV footage on January 19, 2011 and February 7, 2011).
The experiments will blast off from French Guiana, on the east coast of South America, on March 22, 2012 at 9:31PDT. This launch will be televised online starting approximately 20 minutes prior to the launch. Launch details can be viewed on the European Space Agency website.
About Valley Christian Schools:
Valley Christian Schools (VCS) is a private, K-12 Christian school system located in the heart of Silicon Valley in San Jose, California. Valley Christian Schools provides rigorous college preparatory programs while offering a K-12 comprehensive education. VCS challenges students to aspire toward lives of character, service, and influence while pursuing their individual Quest for Excellence™ through A3 - Academic Achievement, Artistic Beauty, and Athletic Distinction.
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