WORCESTER (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Two teachers from Worcester have been chosen by NASA to take part in a research program that will take them into the earth's stratosphere.
FOX25's Sara Underwood had a chance to speak with one of the teachers as she prepares for her mission.
East Middle School art teacher Stacy Lord showed FOX25 some of the space inspired artwork from her students. Her lesson plans have taken an intergalactic turn in the last year, ever since NASA selected her to take part in a research program. It was her colleague Howie Fain, a science teacher, that asked her to be his team member to fly in the modified 747 called SOFIA at the outer limits of the earth’s atmosphere. The teachers were originally scheduled to fly last week, but the flight was scratched due to engine issues. They will be on standby for a future mission.
In order to prepare for the mission, Lord had to take crash courses in math and astrophysics to be part of the research team.
Her art room is filled with student sculptures and paintings, but also advanced equations hanging here and there. Lord felt it was important to bring her students into the process as she prepares for her mission.
Lord says her students are very excited.
When the Worcester teachers are on SOFIA, they will be observing star clusters and galaxies through a 17 metric ton telescope attached to the jumbo jet. It's something Lord hopes will bring new inspiration to her and her students.
Tracy Lord and Howie Fain are the first teachers from the state of Massachusetts to be chosen for this program. They will be flying two ten-hour missions over the Pacific Ocean.
