generosity
LUKE BECKER: “As long as they find something they can enjoy, make a career, and have a good life, that’s really all I’m trying to do.”
‘ Houston, we have a solution.’ Two teachers are bringing NASA-inspired innovation into their classrooms By Joy Baker | Photography by John Linn
Two Central Minnesota science teachers are literally taking their teaching out of this world. Braham High School’s Luke Becker and Pequot Lakes High School’s Joshua Borchardt are taking Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to the edge of space. Becker, an ag science and technology teacher, was named National Teacher of the Year in November 2021 by the Association for Career and Technical Education. He leads the NASA HUNCH Design Team (High school students United with NASA to Construct Hardware) at Braham High School and is pushing his students to the outer limits with future-inspired projects that are attracting the interest of NASA engineers. For the past three years, Becker’s students were tasked with designing a zero-gravity washing machine so NASA astronauts could wash their clothes in space. They’ve also worked on a scale model of the International Space Station’s Destiny module to be used as an exhibit at U.S. airports. Yet another project was a magnetic boot that would allow astronauts to adhere to the surface of the spaceship and walk rather than float in zero gravity. In addition to leading the HUNCH Design Team, Becker
also leads the school’s Supermileage Team. Each year, this group of students designs and constructs a fuel-efficient, hyper-mileage vehicle to compete at the Shell Eco-Marathon, held each April at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Becker is always looking for ways to enrich his teaching, which is why he was excited to learn about a $7,500 wind tunnel that wasn’t being used and was just taking up space in his friend’s shop. “He told me, ‘If you want it, it’s yours,’” Becker said. The wind tunnel would be perfect for testing prototypes for the Supermileage Team. The only problem was the wind tunnel was built for rockets, not cars. So to meet their needs, it would require a much more complex sensor. The sensor would help determine any lift or down-force on the axles, how much force was being blown onto the car, and how much drag is produced. Becker applied for a grant through the Braham Area Education Foundation, an Initiative Foundation-hosted Partner Fund, to purchase the ideal sensor—one that would allow the Supermileage Team to test 3D-printed models for efficiency and aerodynamics while another group of students could test for speed and stability. Over the years, Becker has helped many students find a passion— and connections—in STEM fields. “As long as they find something CONTINUED ON PAGE 48
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