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Real-world chemistry lesson

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A group of local home-schooled high school students got a real-world lesson on the importance of science and math here, Nov. 7. The group of approximately 12 students reported to the fuels laboratory to see how Airmen use chemistry and math in their jobs.

"In a regular school setting you would have the opportunity for the children to come together and meet in a lab every day with a teacher," said Kimberley Shaffer, home-school parent.

Shaffer added that a chance like this doesn't come up often and that the experience was incredibly beneficial.

Tech. Sgt. Gregory Fifer, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge, instructed the lesson at the fuels laboratory.

To prepare for the group's lesson, Fifer went through the student's textbook, using what he does for the Air Force as an outline and allowed his work to shine through.

The students learned how "fuels" Airmen test the properties of Jet-A, the fuel used in F-16s and other aircraft across the Air Force, the students performed tests to determine the density of Jet-A verses regular gasoline, and converting the mass of fuel.

Shaffer said her daughters recently told her that she didn't think she would ever use her science and math in everyday life.

Senior Airman Christopher Dybalski, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels laboratory technician, assisted Fifer with the day's instruction.

The two demonstrated how they accomplish their portion of the 20th Fighter Wing's mission on a daily basis using the same science and math the students learn in the classroom.

Additional lessons included determining the presence of water in fuel via ultra-violet light and the flashpoint of Jet-A, the temperature at which the substance burns.

"Had I had this sort of lesson in high school," said Dybalski, "I probably would have paid more attention in math and science."