Greater Lawrence Technical School Advanced Manufacturing Students Visited by NASA HUNCH Program Representatives

From left, Advanced Manufacturing Instructor Don Ouellette, NASA Machinist Mentor Roy Bellard, Superintendent John Lavoie and HUNCH Academy Project Manager and Regional Mentor Dr. Florence Gold. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lawrence Technical School)

ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence Technical School Advanced Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation, Metal Fabrication and Environmental Science students were recently visited by NASA HUNCH representatives, and signed a locker that will travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

 

On Monday, March 3, HUNCH Academy Project Manager and Regional Mentor Dr. Florence Gold and Machinist Mentor Roy Bellard from the NASA HUNCH program visited GLTS students.

 

Over the past few years, Advanced Manufacturing Instructor Don Ouellette has worked closely with NASA to develop curriculum for Grade 12 students. The students learn about programming, machining and inspecting hardware that will make its way to the International Space Station.

 

GLTS Advanced Manufacturing students have been working on creating latch knobs for securing stowage lockers. These lockers transport experiments and other items to the ISS, so adherence to rigorous specifications and meticulous documentation is paramount to mission success. To date, no high school program except GLTS has been able to successfully machine the latch knobs.

 

Dr. Gold emphasized to students that the work they’re completing for NASA will benefit them in their future careers. The experience they gain by working on real world projects at such a high level will set them apart from others as they pursue employment opportunities or post-secondary education after high school.

 

During the visit, to commemorate their participation in the HUNCH program, students and teachers signed a locker that will be used in the International Space Station. All students across Massachusetts who participate in the HUNCH program will sign the locker.

 

Additionally, Dr. Gold shared the exciting news that three of GLTS’ current junior Advanced Manufacturing students will have the opportunity to participate in a paid internship program this summer, working 40 hours per week with the support of Instructor Ouellette.

 

Interested students must submit an essay to express their interest in this program, and the top three students will be selected.

 

“Greater Lawrence Tech’s participation in the NASA HUNCH program provides our students with a unique opportunity that will help them immensely once they leave our campus and enter the workforce,” said Superintendent Lavoie. “We are grateful for the NASA HUNCH program for placing its trust in our students and are proud they are performing such important work.”

 

HUNCH is an instructional partnership between NASA and local school districts. Students are tasked with creating cost-effective hardware and soft goods in collaboration with HUNCH team members.

 

The HUNCH program works with more than 500 school districts in 46 states. HUNCH projects cover six areas: culinary, design and prototyping, design for flight, hardware, soft goods, video and media.

 

For more information about the NASA HUNCH program, click here.