Idaho Education News: ISAS Academy One: Day 5

The students' day began with a tour of the Micron facilities where they not only learned about the process used to create memory products using silicon wafers but they were also able to view different aspects of the research and development with these wafers. Students learned that the Boise site is primarily focused on research and development, in comparison to a focus on manufacturing. Micron is strictly a no pictures facility so no inside views will be included in this post.

Micron Technologies, Boise

Students were able to view the clean room where the wafers are created with the use of an Automated Materials Handling System (AMHS). This automated system bypasses the need for workers to be in direct contact with wafers. Pods take the wafers to and from different tools that are used in the manufacturing process. Students were also allowed to tour the Surface Analysis Lab, where tests are done on the wafers to assist research, as well as the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) Lab where the students got to see what an atom looked like.

After Micron the students were able to participate in a rocket launch put on by Corey Morasch and J.C. Worthen. It was a great rocket launch that landed within meters of the launch site allowing for an easy retrieval. The students returned to the Boise State University campus to work on mission planning. With a lot of new information acquired from NASA Ames, the students had a lot to think about and discuss.

Students helped Corey prepare the rocket for launch.

The final presentation of the day was from former astronaut Wendy Lawrence who spoke to the students on the physiological concerns that exist when we go out into space. Concerns such as radiation but also fluid shifts that can affect eye vision and the psychological factors of spending time in space away from home for an extended period. She also touched on psychological concerns such as isolation and food.

After finishing her presentation, Wendy Lawrence talks to a couple students.

"It's all about geometry!" Wendy Lawrence often said as she played billiards with some of the ISAS participants. Tonight was a special night in the Student Union Building where students had some recreation time including bowling, ping pong and pool. Former astronauts, Wendy Lawrence and Barbara Morgan played with the scholars. Students enjoyed the relaxation and interaction with these two esteemed women, as they played pool and talked and the students got to mingle with them as people. The break was much appreciated as tomorrow will be another busy day at the Academy.

Former ISS astronauts, Wendy Lawrence and Barbara Morgan, pose with their cue sticks.

Thank you for reading and as always be sure to check out the Facebook and Twitter pages for more photos and frequent updates during the day. And we hope to see you at the banquet on Saturday where the students are sure to be presenting an engaging and impressive final presentation. #ISASacademy