While it was entertaining to watch rockets fly in the air , there was not a lot of scientific learning going on behind the scenes . To remedy this , he began documenting specific roles on NASA ’ s launch control teams . With the NACA program , he was determined to have his students do more than just observe .
“ I felt that by doing a specific job while launching model rockets , students would be much more engaged in the event and they would have a definite connection to scientific learning . I created my Mission Control Classroom learning environment with the motto , ‘ Honor , Team , and Country .’”
However , Naccarato ’ s goal isn ’ t just to get students excited about space .
“ One of my founding principles that I held when creating NACA , is that I wanted to create a program that will help students and people of any age to look up on the world and on themselves .
Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger
The world can seem at times to be overwhelming for a multitude of reasons that can cause people to look down upon it . Rockets fly upwards , and that to me was a great mechanism to get people to turn their eyes to the sky and stars .”
Naccarato believes structured discipline — an element of NACA
— offers something invaluable to students : a sense of pride for themselves and their whole team .
Matthew Baird , one of Naccarato ’ s students last year , said Naccarato ’ s class taught him about good communication as well as how to learn from making mistakes and not letting them slow him down .
“ Every part of the team or group is needed ,” Baird said . “ One person not doing their job could result in failure . It is an amazing learning experience and the launch day is incredible .”
Not only do Naccarato ’ s students learn the importance of teamwork and discipline while they build their rockets — they also get to meet real astronauts who tell stories of their travels in space as well as encouraging them to reach for the stars — sometimes literally . Baird said meeting real astronauts made him realize that he can achieve whatever he sets his mind to .
30 LET ’ S GO AEROSPACE