NASA Astronaut Duane G. "Digger" Carey Visits
Poinciana Elementary School Students

Monday, April 21st, was a special day for the students at Poinciana
Elementary School, in Boynton Beach. Retired NASA Astronaut Duane G.
"Digger" Carey spoke to the third, fourth, and fifth grade students about
the importance of learning math, science and technology. In his presentation,
Carey emphasized education, as a means of achieving one's goals. He
appealed to the students' interests in fun activities, like his interest in
motorcycles, which gives him the ability to travel and to explore. Students
were treated to "Space Rookie," a home movie, taken by Lieutenant Colonel
Carey aboard Space Ship Columbia. He was selected as an astronaut candidate
by NASA in April, 1996. In 2002, he spent ten days in space on the fourth Hubble
Space Telescope servicing mission. Students were especially interested in how
astronauts ate, slept, and used bathroom facilities while on board the shuttle.

Principal Peter Slack told the audience, including Commissioners Addy
Green and Bob Kanjian, that as a Math/Science/Technology Magnet School,
Poinciana prides itself in being in the fore front of science education. Poinciana,
from kindergarten to fifth grade, builds math, science and technology into
their students' future. Pupils in kindergarten learn chess; all students learn
Sign Language, as a second language; every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student
participates in a 5 1/2 hour space simulator flight. 1st- 4th graders learn to
collect stamps as a way to learn geography (part of lunch program with school
volunteers coordinated by Ira Klosk); 4th and 5th graders design, build and
program robots.
Pictured, left to right: Commissioner
Bob Kanjian; Volunteer Coordinator, Ira Klosk; Astronaut Carey; Principal
Peter Slack; Assistant Principal, Joseph Schneider.
The school building has its own planetarium, run by Director, Steve Schiff.
He has built a complete space shuttle simulator for "astronaut trainees,"
and computer programs that broadcast actual Command Post transmissions.
Plans are in the works for space telescopes, to be monitored by computers
at night, to record the movement of stars. His program inspires and
motivates students to learn about future occupations in the space field,
and to stay in school to get a good education. Photo: Director Steve
Schiff developed and runs the Planetarium and Space Shuttle Simulator.

Poinciana Elementary School is located on North Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach.
If you are interested in the volunteer program, contact Ira Klosk at 561-739-5700.

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