Penn State Outreach Magazine Spring 2005


	A ball helps test the ability of the central nervous system to accept and interpret the new stimuli in space. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Given a Privilege
Pawelczyk's interest in space travel started when he was 6 years old--he and his classmates watched early U.S. space program milestones, including the 1961 flight of the first American in space, Commander Alan B. Shepard Jr., on television in their classrooms. "I was excited by spaceflight, and I loved science," Pawelczyk said.

While a collegiate swimmer at the University of Rochester, he became interested in physiology. His interest led him to pursue a master of science degree in physiology at Penn State, where unique facilities, including Noll Lab, made the University ideal for conducting research in that field.

He later earned his doctorate in biology at the University of North Texas and, with support from a NASA Young Investigator Award, began research on one of the challenges of human adaptation to spaceflight: blood pressure regulation, particularly low blood pressure, or orthostatic intolerance, which is an inability to maintain adequate blood flow to the brain. The condition affects more than 500,000 Americans and is observed in many astronauts following spaceflight.

He continued his NASA-funded research when he came to Penn State in 1995, so it was only natural he would apply when NASA needed a payload specialist to conduct the planned 26 life sciences experiments on the Neurolab mission. It meant putting his academic career on hold for two years. Of 40 applicants, he was one of four chosen to complete National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut training at Johnson Space Center and one of the two payload specialists selected to fly on the shuttle.

"During the mission, you're conscious that you've been given a privilege," he said.

The Neurolab mission's life sciences research included experiments exploring the brain, nervous system and behavior. Aquatic experiments focused on the mechanisms at work in various forms of motion sickness, a common affliction back on Earth that affects some astronauts. Sleep experiments on this mission were designed to increase understanding of the physiological effects of the hormone melatonin on sleep, as well as to record respiration during sleep. Results of this research are helping to improve sleep, not just for astronauts but for the general public, too.

Programs Earn Regional Emmy
The seven crewmembers wanted to make their mission memorable for schoolchildren, so before their flight, they created experiments children could do on Earth that illustrated some of the principles that would be tested in space. Pawelczyk partnered with Penn State Public Broadcasting's WPSX-TV to produce a series of educational modules. WPSX also created 1,000 kits explaining the science behind the experiments, sending them to teachers nationwide before the shuttle was launched.

One experiment involved a centrifuge, or off-axis rotator (on Earth, children used swivel chairs), to explore how the balance organs in the inner ear adapt to spaceflight. As the astronauts and children were spun around and then abruptly stopped, observers watched eye movements for clues to how the body orients itself in both microgravity and gravity environments.

"Experiential learning is very important. We wanted to engage children in activities to excite them about science. As a result, more than 40,000 schoolchildren had direct, active knowledge of how gravity and neuroscience interact," Pawelczyk said.

The programs, which are still used in middle school classrooms, earned several awards, including a Regional Emmy.

In addition to conducting experiments, Pawelczyk taught a course to Penn State undergraduate and graduate students, taking distance learning to new heights--168 miles above Earth, to be exact. "This was an example of the kinds of things we can do at Penn State that can change a life course. It was a fun day in space for me," he said. The wake-up music that day was fittingly "Fight on State."


Dr. James Pawelczyk signs autographs after his presentation at Space Day.

Outreach Campaign Continues
After the shuttle mission, Pawelczyk began a public outreach campaign that continues today. He has talked with thousands of people of all ages and participated in numerous space-related events. One of his favorite activities is the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium's annual Space Day at Penn State.

"The best part of Space Day is the way our Penn State students work with the kids," Pawelczyk said. "The undergraduates do a fabulous job of relating to the kids and getting them involved in learning about science." At this year's Space Day on April 2, organizers scheduled a visit from a four-tenths replica of the space shuttle, known as Space Shuttle Blake.

Robert Boehmer, project coordinator for Space Shuttle Blake in the Parkland School District in Allentown, Pa., has teamed up with Pawelczyk for several programs that aim to integrate space science into school science curricula.

"Dr. Pawelczyk has the unique capacity to relate seemingly arcane educational or complex science concepts to practical hands-on applications in the 'real world' that everyone finds interesting," Boehmer said.

Pawelczyk also serves on the Space Grant Consortium's advisory board. "Jim fully recognizes the public's fascination with spaceflight, and he draws on that interest to motivate young students to find their own passions and to dedicate themselves to hard work and service to their communities," consortium Director Dr. Lisa L. Brown added.

Space Shuttle Tragedy
In 2003, Pawelczyk helped the public understand the accident that claimed the lives of the crew on the Space Shuttle Columbia, spending many hours over several days in the WPSX-TV studio providing commentary for National Public Radio and other national and international news media.

As it is common with tragic events, Pawelczyk recalls exactly what he was doing when he heard the news. "I remember that day very distinctly," he said. "I was in the lab, and I was thinking about the shuttle. I had a lot of friends on that crew. I got a call from my brother telling me to turn on the TV. I was shocked. Each shuttle mission seems regular and routine, but it never is. It was a time when our thoughts needed to be with the crew and the families."

Pawelczyk's contribution during such a horrible moment was, he said, all part of "my personal mission to share my knowledge about spaceflight and science with the public, because being an astronaut and researcher has enriched my life.

Land-grant Mission
"It's great that we interpret our land-grant mission for the 21st century to serve the Commonwealth, nation and world. I believe it's our responsibility as academicians to extend our knowledge to others to inspire the next generation. I view teaching, research and service as a continuum. Outreach will continue to be an integral part of what I do."