ScienceMakers Toolkit Manual - The History Makers

Physics
In 2003, Earls was appointed to the position of Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role he was responsible for research, technology,
and systems development programs in aeronautical propulsion, space propulsion, space power, space communications,
and microgravity sciences. Earls managed an annual budget of approximately $773 million and
oversaw a workforce of 1,920 civil service employees and 1,300 on-site support service contractors.
Earls, who began his career with NASA in 1965, has written dozens of publications for technical and educational
journals, and NASA’s fi rst health physics guides. On two occasions Earls was awarded NASA medals
for exceptional achievement and outstanding leadership. He was also awarded the Presidential Rank Award of
Meritorious Executive.
Earls is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a life member of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People. Earls and his wife, Zenobia, reside in Beachwood, Ohio. The couple has
raised two sons: Gregory and Julian, Jr. In addition to his professional activities, Earls, an avid runner, has
logged over 10,000 miles and twenty-fi ve marathons. He was given the honor of being a torchbearer for the
2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Discussion Questions
Personal:
1. What did you like best about listening to Dr. Earls?
2. Where was Dr. Earls born? Locate it on a map. How far away is this from where you live? What are the
names of his parents? Where did Dr. Earls attend high school? What do you suppose high school was
like for him?
3. How old are you? In what year was Dr. Earls your age? What was happening in the country that year?
What was happening in the world that year? What do you suppose his life was like when he was your
age?
4. Dr. Earls talks about teachers that he had. Who were they? What did they teach? Why does Dr. Earls
remember them? Think about a teacher you have had. What did they help to show you about the world?
(See Clip #1)
5. Dr. Earls competed in math and science competitions between schools in Virginia. Why does he
think they were so important? Have you ever competed against another school in academics? What
about your class? What kinds of academic competitions are in your area? Find out more about one of
them and present your fi ndings to the class. (See Clip #2)
6. Dr. Earls had a very specifi c plan for his career and his college education. What was it? What happened
instead? What did Professor Woods say to Dr. Earls about physics? Does that surprise you? Can you
think of any other types of careers that share similar skills? Are there any skills you have that you
think would be useful in a particular career? What are they? How can you fi nd out which skills you will
need for a career? Pick a career that interests you and report on what skills are needed to the class.
(See Clip #3)
7. Dr. Earls talks about how he works with students. What kinds of things does he do? Do these things
sound interesting? How do you relate to science and math? Do you enjoy it? If not, what would help you
enjoy it more? (See Clip #4)
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