for those who dont go over to the OB board, there was talk about getting the ISS renamed Serenity in light of the DVD's going up on STS-117. I checked into it and there is actually a contest open the grade schools (no individual submissions allowed) to name the Node 2 Module of the ISS. So all you browncoat teachers out there lets see what we can do.

I checked into the naming of the ISS and there is currently a contest open to teachers and students to name the Node 2 module of the ISS. so here is your chance browncoats.

http://esc.nasa.gov/html_files/NameNode2.html

Mission: Name the ISS Node 2

Grades: K-12
Participation: Class or school. No individual submissions will be permitted.

NASA’s Node 2 is the next U.S pressurized module to be installed on the International Space Station (ISS). When installed, this “utility hub” will increase the living and working space inside the ISS to approximately 18,000 cubic feet. The Node 2 will allow additional science labs to be attached to the ISS as well as accommodate space vehicles and a robotic arm. It is 23.6 feet long and 14.5 feet in diameter. This connector may not be much more than the size of your classroom, but it is a very important piece to the soon-to-be completed ISS. The Node 2 will be launched on the Space Shuttle in 2007 for delivery to the ISS. But before it can be launched, it needs a name! NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate and Exploring Space Challenges welcome your class or school to participate in Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge.

Your mission is to create a Node 2 model using your classroom or school hallway. Open to grades K-12, one class or an entire school can be part of the Challenge. Build your model, name it, write a brief description explaining the chosen name, take some digital pictures and send them in. Remember, it is all about living and working in space, so keep that in mind when you build your model. The model won’t be judged, but rather be your ticket to enter a name for the Node 2. All the name submissions will then be reviewed by a panel of NASA scientists, engineers and educators. A winning name will be selected in early 2007.

The Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge objectives are for students to (1) understand principles of living and working in space, (2) research the International Space Station, (3) understand how to track the ISS in the sky, (4) apply proportional ratio equations to construct a Node 2 model to scale and (5) create an electronic scrapbook and submit a summary describing the chosen name for the Node 2.

Download the Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge Guide now to get your class started! http://esc.nasa.gov/documents/NameNode2Guide.pdf

I was in middle school when they were doing the naming of the new space shuttle, the one that was replacing Challanger, and wound up being named the Endeavor. We participated in a similar type of project. It was tons of fun.

This is awesome, though I think we should think big and hold out for the naming rights for whatever's replacing the shuttle. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_cool.gif)

I think it will be a fun project for the kids even if they dont want to name it Serenity.

well the next vehicle is already named Orion, but it might be like Apollo where the crew can name their individual modules like columbia(command/service module) and eagle(lunar module) for Apollo 11.

and for those leary of using the kids for our campaign I still think the project/contest is cool for getting the kids engaged in learning about the space program. so if you are a teacher this would still be cool to have the class/school do even if you chose to not name it Serenity.

Personally I plan to tell the children that its their decision to make... but if they don't choose to name it Serenity Santa will hate them and kill their dog! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_twisted.gif)

or even better, they just killed Santa