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The Kennedy Launch Academy Simulation System (KLASS) Educational Software

Shuttle Launch with the words 'want to know what it takes launch the shuttle?' overlayed over top

Bring a launch countdown into your classroom! Would your students like to serve as console engineers for a launch countdown? Now they can! Based on the actual software used for training in the Launch Control Center, this software enables a launch countdown simulation with any networked system of computers. Materials are created by teachers for teachers, with alignment to national standards. There are five console stations for your student engineers, Main Engines, External Tank, BioMed (OBS), Weather, and Environmental Control. While this is targeted at middle school, it is very easily scaled up to the high school level.

This software is free and will soon be available by download or on CD. If you would like to assist with beta-testing the software, please email the contact listed below. One basic requirement is the need for one computer that is Linux based, which can be networked with the student computers. The Linux machine will be the teacher console, with other computers (Windows based) serving as student computers. Very detailed information will be provided to those who request a copy of the software. The software is easily scaled up or down anywhere from a one-day session to a one to three year curriculum!

To download background materials that you can use in your classroom right now, and for lesson plans to use with the KLASS software, click here: 350Mb KLASS materials download. Be aware this is about a 350Mb file, so it will take about 20 minutes on a broadband internet connection. Please contact us for information on obtaining the s/w on a CD that can be mailed to you. For a description of what is available in the background materials, click here for a PDF file: KLASS overview.pdf, click here for a word document: KLASS overview.doc. This is a short file with an overview of the background materials available on the large 350Mb file.

KLASS at NSTA 2008 conference

NASA-KSC was invited to present this software at the 2008 National Science Teachers Association conference in Boston, March 27-30, 2008. This will be a hands on session. Come join us for the fun! If you can't be there, just download the background material at the link below. The presentation will also be available for download at this site in April 2008.

How to obtain our Software

  • The KLASS software and background material is freely available to all. For background material, click here: 350Mb KLASS materials download (this is approximately a 350Mb file).
  • For a description of what is available in the background materials, click here for a PDF file: KLASS overview.pdf, click here for a word document: KLASS overview.doc.
  • To request a copy of the background materials on CD, please email the contact below.
  • For a website with information on the real engineers who work in the Launch Control Center click here: http://enterfiringroom.ksc.nasa.gov.
  • To request a copy of the beta release of the software, so that you may assist with beta testing, please email the contact below.

Contact Information

Theresa C. Martinez
Education Technology
Mailcode: XA-D1
Voice: (321) 867-0590
Fax:    (321) 867-2097
E-mail:  Theresa.C.Martinez@nasa.gov

 

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