How far is it to the moon? How would you measure it? Did the Apollo astronauts have odometers on their craft to measure the miles?

At Lee Road Junior High, classes are video conferencing, taking virtual field trips, with NASA scientist David Alexander, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Stacey Hoover, the technology teacher, sets up the virtual classroom in Lauren Happel’s math class.

The lesson was on how to measure the distance to the moon. Alexander explained that in astronomy, indirect measurement is used to determine distance and temperature that cannot be directly measured with a ruler or thermometer.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

Alexander asked the students, “Do we really go the sun and stick a thermometer in to see how hot it is? Of course not. We use other methods.”

The interactive classroom experience was an opportunity to ask questions about a multitude of science and math subjects from the NASA scientist.

Students’ questions ranged from how many American flags are on the moon (one) to do Martians really exist? Alexander explained there the rover did find life on Mars on the soil and water but no humanoid life.

He asked the students why measurement is so important and examples of when measurement is important. Students answered that precise measurements are important when building a house or baking a cake.

He then asked how they would measure the distance from their house to school. Answers included a map, a map key, tape measure, odometer, trundle wheel and even mapquest.

To illustrate the need for a common universal math and measurement language such as the metric system, and how indirect measurement is used, he had the students measure their room using various tools — one student’s body length, another student’s foot, counting the tiles on the floor and one students outstretched arms.

The width of the room was four body lengths, 26.5 tiles, 26 foot-lengths and 4.5 outstretched arm lengths. Students were then asked to measure each of the separate “measuring tools” with a ruler, using the centimeter side. A body length equaled 165 cm; each tile was 30 cm; each foot length was 29 cm; and the outstretched arms from fingertip to fingertip was 150 cm.

In order to compare the measurements and get a common measurement, each set of data was multiplied by the number of centimeters to reach a conclusion. By using the body measurement, the room was 660 cm wide; using tiles, 795 cm; a student’s foot rendered 754 cm; and the outstretched arm method from fingertip to fingertip was 675 cm.

Alexander told them the different numbers were not wrong because they used a different method to obtain each one by estimating the lengths.

In a separate experiment, he asked students to measure the thickness of a piece of paper. While it is possible to do so, it is not very easy without precise measuring instruments. So Alexander recommended measuring a ream of paper, 500 sheets think. It measured 5 cm. He then asked the students what to do next.

They first answered, divide 500 by 5 cm which would give an answer of 100 cm. Knowing this was incorrect, they then reversed and divided 5 cm by 500, getting the correct answer of .01 cm for each sheet of paper.

Throughout the lesson, Alexander stressed the importance of study, especially math and science. He also spoke of other careers available at NASA, including graphic artists, computer technologists and even writers, fields not commonly associated with NASA’s astronaut image.

During the class, he called on students by name and got students engaged in the learning process by directly asking students questions, even when they did not raise their hands.

The high-tech classroom allows students an opportunity to expand their learning experience by talking with a professional in a high-tech field. This week is the first time the technology is being used by students. Hoover said that nine such experiences are planned for this week, with many more to follow.

Hoover said that plans to increase the virtual field trips will include partnering with other classrooms in other states for cultural and other experiences. There is even a plan to partner an older class with a younger class as pen pals, having the older students correct the younger groups compositions and then meet virtually through the virtual classroom.

As a learning tool, technology has added dimensions to the classroom unheard of even five years ago. Hoover said, “Virtual Field Trips offer our students the opportunity to go places and see things that otherwise they may never have the opportunity to visit. Our eighth grade students would not be able to get on a bus and drive to the Dryden Flight Research Facility or any other NASA facility for a field trip; however, through the use of video conferencing equipment our students can do just that. Virtual Field Trips open up a whole new world of possibilities for us. Through the use of Virtual Field Trips there is no where we can’t go.”

Oh- the answer to how far away the moon is from earth?

The average distance from the earth according to NASA’s Web site is about 384,400 kilometers; 238,855 miles; or the scientific notation of 3.84400 x 105 km. Astronauts left mirrors on the moon and NASA scientists measure how long it takes a beam of light to reach the mirrors and back.