Mustang Mathematicians
Volume 1, Issue 3 (November 2016)
Meet Retired NASA Aerospace Engineer Lee Norbraten: An FHS Substitute Teacher Bringing Space Exploration into the Math Classroom
Lee joined NASA in 1967 as a mission planner, helping to design the return trips from the moon during the Apollo Program. In the Space Shuttle era, as ascent design lead, he created the Abort Maneuver Evaluator to advise the flight crew and ground controllers what actions to take in the event of an engine failure during ascent. As the Deputy Manager of the Space Shuttle Systems Integration Office, Lee led various project teams to improve Space Shuttle capabilities including structural safety margins during ascent, payload to orbit capability, and launch window optimization in support of the unique requirements of the International Space Station.
Mr. Norbraten is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and the astronaut’s “Silver Snoopy” award. In 1970, at the age of 22, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom as a member of the Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team, following the safe return of the astronauts from a critical failure some 200,000 miles from earth. Mr. Norbraten holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Miami, Florida, and an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Houston. While at the University of Miami, he was a member of the “Singing Hurricanes”, an elite singing group that appeared several times on national television, and who also went overseas on USO tours to entertain American servicemen.
In retirement, Lee remains active as an aerospace consultant, docent at Space Center Houston, and substitute mathematics and science teacher at Friendswood High School. He is developing a book on the men and women who planned the lunar landing missions, and in preparation has written short biographies of about 50 members of the Apollo Mission Planning Team.
Around FHS, Lee enjoys substituting in our math classrooms. He loves to teach students and to incorporate his knowledge of the space program into the lessons. The students really enjoy listening to Lee's NASA stories and how he relates the sometimes abstract ideas of math to the real world. Last year, Lee came and spoke to the Pre-AP Algebra 2 classes about the Apollo 13 mission that he worked on. After his discussion, the classes were charged with recreating the compromised filter much like what is seen in the Apollo 13 movie starring Tom Hanks. It was an amazing experience for students and teachers alike that wouldn't have happened without Mr. Norbraten's guidance and expertise!
Mr. Norbaten, we appreciate all you do for FHS!
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Meet the Algebra 2 and Pre-AP Algebra 2 Teams!
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What's Happening Around the Math Department?
Advanced Algebra Students Build Mario!
Pre-AP Algebra 2 Students Learn About Evaluating Business Models
If Pythagoras had Instagram...
#righttriangleslookingood
#mustangrighttriangle
#actualrighttriangle
#yellowtriangle
#incaseofemergency
#paperproblems
Math Models Students Take Their Knowledge of Representational Graphs to the Next Level!
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Attention all Math and Science Club Members...
Bales: Tuesdays at 7:30 AM
Westwood: Fridays at 7:30 AM
Tutoring hours count towards community service hours for NHS!
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Need to Contact the Math Department?
Email: abielamowicz@fisdk12.net
Website: http://myfisd.com/hs/
Location: 702 Greenbriar Drive, Friendswood, TX, United States
Phone: 281-482-3413