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Elementary School Kids Explore the Moon At Close Range
sighted writes "The twin robotic spacecraft that make up the new GRAIL mission to map the moon's gravity include small cameras in addition to their primary scientific instruments. The first images from those cameras, as selected by school kids, were downlinked to Earth on March 20. 'MoonKAM is based on the premise that if your average picture is worth a thousand words, then a picture from lunar orbit may be worth a classroom full of engineering and science degrees,' said Maria Zuber, GRAIL mission principal investigator."
Given the summary title, I was hoping that we'd actually sent some kids into lunar orbit... as an elementary school teacher, I know a few I wouldn't mind sending.
Every time I see a picture is worth a thousand words I ask myself which takes up more disc space?
In TFA, it was stated that
"based on the premise that if your average picture is worth a thousand words, then a picture from lunar orbit may be worth a classroom full of engineering and science degrees,' said Maria Zuber, GRAIL mission principal investigator"
I am trying not to rain on their parade, but ...
Based on the societal structure now, wall street bankers, stock brokers and all those who work in financial industries are raking in multi-Giga-bucks
On the other hand, how much are engineers, principal investigators, scientists making?
And based on the social pecking order --- the engineers, scientists, principal investigators have to kow tow to those with $$$
Let's face it: Science and Engineering aren't hot anymore
Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
Come on.
Everyone knows a kid or ten they'd like to put into lunar orbit.
Can you see evidence of the moon landings...
Here you go:
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/09/lunarphotostop.jpg
Of course there's no way you can convince those conspiracy theorist morons... They'd just tell you those pictures are faked too.
Let's face it: Science and Engineering aren't hot anymore
On the contrary: Science and Engineering are very hot... in Asia.
US is still famous for their technical schools. Asians are going there in droves for a degree before comming back and getting excellent jobs. Engineers are highly respected there.
If a kid is passionate about science/engineering let him do it along with Chinese language on the side. Once he gets his qualifications, emmigrate to Asia and rake in the money/enjoy his career.