Rocky Boy starts program with NASA

The Montana Office of Public Instruction has announced that Rocky Boy Schools are one of nine in the state that have been chosen to work with NASA on scientific research projects.

A release from OPI said Thursday that scientists from NASA will visit the nine Montana schools and provide instruction through Skype to the students.

“I know it’s going to promote a lot of interest in science and that is what we want because as a Native American school and being on a reservation we need more science on our reservations,” Rocky Boy Junior-Senior High School Principal Deborah LaMere said.

The other eight schools in Montana that will be taking part are schools in Frenchtown, Centerville, Big Fork, Hot Springs, Alberton, Boulder, Huntley, Rocky Boy and Conrad, the release said.

Montana is one of 15 states in the country that will take part in these activities, which emphasize science technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM.  

LaMere said school officials were notified a few weeks ago that Rocky Boy received the grant.

She said that Rocky Boy schools and other 21st-century learning centers, or schools that provide academic opportunities for students during nonacademic hours especially with large numbers of low-income students, were sent the application by OPI grant.

LaMere said students grades seven through 12 will design crew exploration vehicles, create a plant growth systems that astronauts can take on missions, help design a device that will enable astronauts to parachute onto Mars and pressure suits that can protect astronauts in low pressure environments.

Teachers will receive instruction from NASA scientists in how to use the software for the activities.

LaMere said the activities will take place  between 20 and 30 hours over the course, which will last 11 to 15 weeks between October and March.