NASA plane in Turner experiment Middle schoolers collect data on river

TURNER – Middle school students successfully launched a NASA airplane for a science experiment in which they’ll study how the Nezinscot River has changed over the past decade.

The airplane had wings held on with rubber bands, and the plane itself achieved lift by teacher Cindy Duguay running and holding it over her head.

About 70 people watched as she gave it a toss. Then it dipped for a moment, faltered. Then, with a whir of its propeller, it caught the air.

Despite its low-tech liftoff, the plane was loaded with sensors, a video camera with infrared imaging, and a still camera.

For 10 minutes, it flew over the river, recording geological, topographical and infrared data Thursday.

Students at Tripp Middle School in Turner will analyze data and compare it with satellite images and a 1986 study of the river to see how local farms have affected the environment, Duguay said.

Last year, Duguay, a teacher in SAD 52’s gifted and talented program, attended an earth science program at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland during the summer. She was one of 17 teachers chosen to spend a week learning how to conduct science experiments using satellites and other remote sensors.

Since then, two remote-control planes, temperature sensors, hand-held weather stations and other pieces of equipment have circulated among the 17 teachers. Duguay and her students got their turn this week.

After their first successful flight Thursday, the group prepared for a second. They had information from the plane’s video camera and sensors, but they wanted more.

The students will spend months analyzing the data recorded by the white plane.

“I’m hoping we’ll be able to understand the river a lot better now and how the farms affect the vegetation,” said 13-year-old Kayanna Beeckel at the tracking table.