The Right Stuff! Fort Greene Teacher Get's NASA's Seal of Approval

After receiving one of the most prestigious air and space awards that a teacher can obtain, one Fort Greene science teacher will be rubbing elbows with major military leaders and former astronauts in the hopes of bringing a cutting-edge space curriculum to local students.

Denis Kogan, a science teacher for grades 9-12 at the on Clermont Avenue, was one of 38 teachers selected from thousands of applicants across the country for the coveted  Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Program.

His reward is a trip to the 27th National Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs this week, where he will learn about the latest space projects that NASA. Big shots like former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Marion Blakey the CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, are expected to speak at the exclusive event.

Kogan, an avid lover of science (he has built robots out of Legos) is understandably fired up. But he said will benefit his students, too

“I’m really excited to take part in this program,” said Kogan. “It’s an opportunity to serve as a middleman between the NASA community and the school districts by obtaining the latest information in science and technology, enabling us to create a space curriculum that will rank among the best in the state.”

Kogan says he expects the four-day program to provide a significant number of important contacts among key players in the air and space industry, which will give his students the chance to ask them questions directly.

“We’ll have a real network of people to go to now,” said Kogan. “I’ll be able to do video conferencing in class with some of these prominent people in the industry, and they’ll be able to give us all of the latest news and information." 

Kogan’s enthusiasm for space goes beyond mere curiosity. He said that he has been fascinated by space since he was little, and has done tours of duty in several space camps and academies. He even applied to become a NASA astronaut five years ago before becoming a teacher.

“I got the necessary references and even did the physical, but it was obviously going to be a long shot,” said Kogan. “Teaching put that plan on hold, but NASA has a Master’s Education Program that I’m looking at applying to."

Kogan says he hopes to a new space curriculum to inspire his students to dream beyond what they think they are capable of doing.

“If we can get some of these kids to want to learn more about space, or say that they’re interested in being NASA scientists or astronauts, now they’re really reaching for the stars to get involved,” said Kogan. “A lot of people don’t know too much about space because it’s so mysterious. Now that we’ll have all the information and resources to provide answers, hopefully we can get them to start asking questions.”