Re: Let Hubble die gracefully

From: Regnirps (regnirps_at_aol.com)
Date: 01/26/05 

Date: 26 Jan 2005 06:55:36 GMT

Tim Killian wrote:
> When was the last time you saw a teenager:
>
> 1) build and fly a model airplane or rocket?
A few do it in an Aero class in HS. However, our HS has a one semester ground
school and a one semester intro to flight training.

> 2) grind/polish/figure a telescope mirror?
Once in a blue moon and always a Dobb.

> 3) write their own computer program?
Completely dropped from curiculum. If I ask students if they know any computer
languages they say "I use english on mine" or "What's a computer language?" The
school system periodic panics over technology are as capricious as NASA. Back
in the 60's they had a lot of us convinced that if we studied science and
engineering we would have jobs on the Moon by the time we were 35. Now that we
have all the flying cars and robot servants nobody wants to go to the Moon
anymore.

-- Charlie Springer
Old Physicist/New High School Physics Teacher

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