Parkhill, an assistant principal and science teacher for the Era ISD, is a NASA educational trainer and an aerospace education officer for the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. He joined the NASA Reduced Gravity Team in January to conduct experiments on magnetism and acceleration aboard the NASA Reduced Gravity Aircraft, which simulates different levels of gravity through controlled dives. “Challenger’s Lost Lessons” were conducted in honor of educator Christa McAuliffe, who died in the Challenger explosion in 1986.

 

Parkhill calls the weightlessness of zero gravity a “spiritual, calming experience,” though he says “zero” gravity is really microgravity.

 

“Gravity never ceases to exist — it just gets weaker,” he says.

 

Far from becoming sick, he enjoyed some candy during the ride. In the simulations of lunar gravity, one-sixth of Earth’s gravity, he weighed 33 pounds.

 

“It was a weird feeling, like floating, and I bounced around like a rabbit,” he says.  “Hang time is awesome, because you keep going forever.”

 

Parkhill, who is married to Monica Johnson Parkhill (’03 M.Ed.), has been a teacher for 14 years. He was named Aerospace Education Officer of the Year by the Civil Air Patrol’s Texas Wing in April and has been involved with NASA’s LiftOff Program for educators for 10 years.

 

The teachers on the reduced gravity team are replicating their experiments in classrooms around the state.

 

“I was a sophomore in high school sitting in science class when the Shuttle Challenger was destroyed,” he says. “I think we did them justice.”