OSGC Educational Resources Blog

Join NASA and NSTA for three free Web seminars developed in collaboration with Arizona State University. The seminars will focus on NASA’s Mars Exploration program and will target educators of grades 5-12. All Web seminars will include information and resources for educators available at NASA websites. With diverse backgrounds and experience, the presenters are space scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA and ASU. During the live Web seminar, presenters will share their expertise and answer questions live from the participants.

The Mars Student Imaging Project

Join Paige Graff from Arizona State University’s Mars Education Program as she presents a free Web seminar about the Mars Student Imaging Project. MSIP gives teams of students in grades 5-12 through college sophomore level the opportunity to work with scientists, mission planners, and educators on the THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) team at ASU’s Mars Space Flight Facility. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2008.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar8.aspx

Exploring Mars with CRISM and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Join Dr. Scott Murchie as he presents a free Web seminar about the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars instrument that is currently aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft in orbit around planet Mars. The CRISM is one of NASA’s high-tech “detectives” seeking traces of past and present water on the Martian surface. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. on March 6, 2008.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar9.aspx

Using Earth to Explore Mars

Join Dr. Josh Bandfield and Brian Grigsby from Arizona State University as they present a free Web seminar that will compare and contrast Earth and Mars. Topics will include comparing features common to both planets and how to help students become familiar with planetary processes and landforms by integrating non-Earth examples. A Mars mission update will also be included. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. on April 3, 2008.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx

Join thousands of teachers, students and families around the globe Feb. 25-March 8, 2008, in a hunt for stars. Take part in this international event to observe the nighttime sky and learn more about light pollution around the world. GLOBE at Night is an easy observation and reporting activity that takes approximately 15-30 minutes to complete.

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, also known as GLOBE, is a worldwide, hands-on science and education program for primary and secondary schools.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.globe.gov/GaN/index.html . Please e-mail questions about this event to globeatnight@globe.gov .

“Floods and Flows: Exploring Mars Geology on Earth ,” a NASA-sponsored workshop for educators, will be held July 13-19, 2008. Spend the week with planetary scientists visiting the site of ancient Glacial Lake Missoula and tracing its flood waters through Montana, Idaho and into Washington. From these field experiences and accompanying classroom activities, participants will build an understanding of surface processes on Earth, including water flow, volcanism, glaciation and sedimentation. Attendees will extend their understanding to interpret what the features on the surface of Mars suggest about the past environments and history of the Red Planet.

The experience will be divided between the field and lab, where participants work with classroom-tested, hands-on inquiry-based activities and resources that can be used to enhance Earth and space science teaching in the classroom. Participants receive lesson plans, supporting resources and presentations. Applications are due April 7, 2008.

For more information about the workshop and to submit an application online, visit http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/fieldtrips/2008/floods20081st.shtml .

Visit with NASA representatives at NAA’s 2008 annual conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., March 12-14, 2008. Afterschool educators can attend a variety of NASA sessions with hands-on activities designed for all grade levels. Plan to visit the NASA booth to obtain education materials and information on how NASA resources can be used in out-of-school-time programs.

For a list of scheduled NASA-related workshops and sessions, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/natl-afterschool-assoc-08.html  .