Project, space shuttle linked

Wyoming Valley West Seventh-graders plant seeds to see if they grow faster than those exposed to space

KINGSTON – No old “Star Trek” references in their past, no pesto in their future, but four Wyoming Valley West Middle School students are planting, watering and measuring the growth of basil “space seeds” as part of NASA’s “Engineering Design Challenge.”

The goal – see if seeds exposed to the harsh extremes of space sprout at the same pace as seeds stored on Earth.

The short answer: The seeds that flew on the Space Shuttle last August are growing a tad faster than the Earthbound ones. “They’re about two centimeters bigger,” Bobby Jacobs said, adding “that’s not a significant difference.”

Jacobs and three fellow seventh-grade honors physical science course students – Alexandra Miller, Meg Markwith and Joseph Butkiewicz – volunteer time to plant, tend and measure the basil, all “without extra credit” teacher Phil Pack pointed out. Why?

“I love science,” Alexandra said. So much so that this 13-year-old has already narrowed her career choices to “physicist or paleobotanist.”

Alexandra is the one who dubbed the project “space seeds,” and before fans of the original “Star Trek” series warp to the conclusion that this must refer to that show’s episode titled “Space Seed,” please remember these students were born at least a quarter-century after that first aired. They don’t know what you’re talking about.

How did a couple of students in Kingston hook up with astronauts in orbit? Teacher Phil Pack is a space aficionado from way back. In 1985, he tried out for the Teacher in Space program that eventually put Christa McAuliffe on board the ill-fated Challenger Shuttle flight. “I washed out at the state level,” Pack said.

He channeled his ambitions into the classroom, involving his students in NASA’s “Endeavour” program launched in the 1990s, which let students participate in shuttle experiments.

This seed project was designed by Barbara Morgan, McAuliffe’s backup. When McAuliffe died in the Challenger explosion, Morgan assumed her duties.

The students also plan to design a “plant growth chamber” capable of sustaining basil for at least 20 days without watering (they’ve been given special pellets to make this possible.)

Despite this introduction to gardening, none of the students intends to take up the pastime in the future. But that’s no surprise. After all, this isn’t about TV science fiction, gardening or cooking. It is, as Alexandra pointed out right from the start, science.

Disclaimer: the reporter didn’t know managing editor Joe Butkiewicz’s son was involved in the project until arriving at the school. Butkiewicz was likewise unaware a story involving his son was planned until after the visit.

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