Yuma students tour NASA project hangar

High school students toured the Jacobs Hangar at Yuma International Airport this week to learn more about NASA's Orion project under way at the facility.

Students in the University of Arizona Engineering 102 classes at Cibola, Yuma and San Luis high schools toured the hangar where engineers are testing parachutes for the newest generation of space travel launch craft.

According to a news release, NASA's Capsule Parachute Assembly System team has been performing parachute drop tests at Yuma Proving Ground since 2007 to support the design and development of the capsule descent and landing parachute system to support the Orion flight tests and first human flight.

“Since the NASA and Jacobs engineers are here for six months out of the year, Yuma is like a second home for them and we've built an amazing relationship,” said Gen Grosse, airport spokeswoman. “We also participate in a variety of educational programs within the community. When NASA expressed interest in sharing their knowledge and experience with our local students, we knew it would be an experience of a lifetime.”

This tour falls in line with the mission of the UA ENGR 102 program to provide hands-on experience for students in the Yuma Union High School District in which they can apply math and science to everyday life. Students also receive college credit for passing the course.

YUHSD Superintendent Toni Badone said the program has opened the eyes of many students as to what opportunities exist for them in various engineering careers.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our students to learn about the work that NASA's engineers perform right here in Yuma. We have many very talented students enrolled in the program who are preparing to be the scientists of the future,” said Badone.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSSarahWomer or on Twitter at @YSSarahWomer.