By Mareike Sophie Drünkler
The countdown is running! On September 1st, Safia Ouazi sets off for California to take off in a NASA plane and reach for the stars.
“I’m really excited and completely distracted by the lesson preparations,” says the 43-year-old to the BZ
Born in France, she was fascinated by space and science even as a child. The astronomy group at school was followed by studies and doctorate in Paris. In 2016 she moved to Berlin. Since then, Safia Ouazi has been teaching physics and mathematics at the Robert-Havemann-Gymnasium in Karow.
“I want my classes to get my students excited about science, especially the girls,” she says. “And that’s exactly what the SOFIA flights are all about,” says Ouazi.
SOFIA stands for the “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy” by NASA and the German Aerospace Center.
Ten scientists will be on board when the NASA machine climbs to 14,000 meters – weightlessness does not yet exist here. The aircraft is equipped with a special infrared telescope and can carry out optimal observations at this altitude.
There are two flights of ten hours each. Research is being carried out into the early stages of star formation, the collision of galaxies and around the moon. “We are there as observers,” says Ouazi.
The teacher’s flight has existed since 2011. Since then, 45 teachers have managed to prevail against the many applicants from schools all over Germany. Ouazi convinced with good language skills and an exciting teaching concept.
By the way: In addition to the many fascinating impressions, there is another souvenir of the flight: a personalized NASA jacket that Ouazi’s students will also be amazed at.