IDLE NO MORE TORONTO
When
we aired Lights Out! in December viewers asked some interesting questions via
facebook and twitter. We contacted Dr. Richard Stevens at... the University
of Connecticut Health Center for answers. What affect does moonlight have on the
sleep cycle? What type of light does it emit? How does this affect people
sleeping outside? Dr. Stevens: Light from the moon is similar in spectrum (color
content) as the Sun because it is reflected sunlight. However the intensity is,
of course, far...
“This stunning sculpture by Liu Qiang is an accurate
depiction of humanity’s use of, and utter dependence on other animals and, in
particular, the bizarre habit of consuming the breast milk from mothers of other
species—milk that these mothers have produced for their own babies, babies that
we forced upon them only to kill shortly after birth so that we can take the
bereft mother’s milk, milk that we drink as though we were the children that we
murdered.”
How To Become An Astronaut
Many of us dreamed of becoming a NASA astronaut when we were young. Some
of us never got over that dream. When John Glenn rode the shuttle for
NASA in 1998 at the age of 77, that flight breathed new hope into many
would-be astronauts.
So, how do you become an astronaut? Let's discover the NASA employment path, together.
Time Required: Varies, But Several Years
Here's How:
- Begin
your preparation as early as possible. Learn the basics in elementary
school, especially math and science. Read everything you can get your
hands on about astronauts, space, and whatever field you want to work
in.
- Learn how to work effectively in a team environment. Also,
don't forget the world around you. NASA does not exist in a vacuum, and
you shouldn't either. Astronauts are team players.
- Since a
college degree is a necessity, it is imperative you do well in high
school first. Study hard, make good grades, especially on the SAT or
ACT. Make a good decision on the course of study you wish to pursue,
whether it be engineering, biological or physical science, or
mathematics.
- NASA's "minimum degree requirement" for an
astronaut is a bachelor's from an accredited institution, so work hard
in your chosen classes. Your grades should allow you to enroll in a good
Master of Science program.
- After college, you'll need 3 years
of related increasingly responsible professional experience in your
field. You should start preparing for this by choosing wisely when it
comes to internships and coop positions in college.
- Communication
plays a very vital role, not only verbally, but written as well. In
addition, the Space industry is now a global enterprise. It's a good
idea to be bilingual as well.
- Once you've got your degree and
some work experience, it's time to apply for those astronauts positions.
Fill out a Standard Form 171 (government employment application) and
send it to Astronaut Selection Office, NASA Johnson Space Center,
Houston, TX 77058.
- The astronaut application will be reviewed
and ranked by various criteria, including: height, experience and
expertise. NASA receives an average of 4,015 pllications to fill around
20 slots every 2 years.
- Next, another screening process, and
about 118 from the original 4,015 will be invited to Johnson Space
Center for a week of interviews, medical exams and orientation. The ASB
interviews each astronaut candidate and assigns them a rating based on:
experience and potential, motivation, ability to function as a team
member, communicative abilities, and adaptability. You can fail due to
interpersonal skills.
- If you are interested in a pilot/commander
position, instead of mission specialist, you will also be required to
log in at least 1,000 hours of flight time in command of a jet aircraft.
During training all crew members train aboard a T-38 jet, in which the
controls are identical to the Space Shuttle and therefore, can be used
as a flight simulator either on the ground or in actual flight.
- Many
applicants do not meet medical standards while others withdraw after
learning all that the job entails. After collecting significant
information,the Astronaut Selection Board will choose its final
candidates and pass that recommendation on the NASA Administrator who
will make the final pick for employment.
- Once selected,
astronaut candidates begin a rigorous training program. Expect many long
days, even after your training ends. Being an astronaut can be hard on
family life.
Tips:
- An interesting fact is that
out of 195 former and present astronauts, 123 have taken part in
Scouting. It seems that scouting is a great place to learn many of the
skills required to be an astronaut.
- Don't approach your college
career concerned with how it will appear on a resume. Make sure you have
a real interest in your course of study.
- As soon as you arrive
on campus, go to the co-operative and recruitment offices to explore the
possibilities of an internship or work/study position to gain vital
experience necessary to be marketable. If you wait till your senior
year, or even after graduation, you've missed a golden opportunity.
- Don't
rest on your laurels. Most astronauts to date have continued with
career and/or education to the post-graduate levels and were able to
substitute education for all or part of their work experience
requirement. Still, the application process is a long one, and you still
need to eat in the meantime.
- The Astronaut Selection Board
(ASB) is looking for people who have done very well in a technical
field. Make sure you have sterling recommendations, especially from
undergraduate and graduate school professors that can attest to your
problem solving abilities, communicability with others and your ability
to work well in a team.
What You Need:
- Height 64 and 76 inches
- 20/70 Corrected to 20/20
- Blood Pressure-140/90
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3 Years Experience
Online:
Jared Kotyk, Lalo RedHawk,
Edna Agla
Missy
Cohen,
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Gathering Place Community Centre: Sean paper board para, Paul into electronics
Carnegie: 7:30PM, 2nd Flr Kiki from Commercial
idle no more flashmob at the Toronto Eaton Centre.
SOLIDARITY with Chief Theresa Spence — IDLE NO MORE TORONTO (58
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