Filed under: Educational Materials, K-12, NASA, Professional Development, STEM, Science, Teacher Development, Teacher Opportunities
Are you a K-12 teacher of STEM disciplines? Are you looking for a way to enhance your instructional skills, meet your professional development goals, or find new and exciting resources to use in your learning environments? Then NASA’s Electronic Professional Development Network (ePDN) is for you!
NASA’s Learning Environments and Research Network (LE&RN) and the Georgia Institute of Technology have teamed up to create the ePDN, a new initiative dedicated to preparing teachers to engage their students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through the use of NASA-developed learning materials and resources.
The ePDN Offers:
• Free certificate programs (52 hours) in robotics, mathematics, Earth/space science, and technology integration.
• Flexibility to take individual courses within a certificate or the entire certificate program, both for CEU credit.
• Resources that teachers can use in the classroom or for personal development.
Applications are now open for the Robotics certificate, which begins in January, 2010. To apply, please visit http://www.nasaepdn.gatech.edu/certificates.php
For more information on the ePDN, visit http://www.nasaepdn.gatech.edu/
Filed under: Cool Science, Educational Materials, Higher Education, K-12, Links to Other Resources, NASA, Robots, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities
Innovation, creativity, problem solving — the world of robotics at NASA is all of these things. Bookmark this new one-stop shop on NASA.gov for news about robotics for educators and students. Check out the things to do on the site to see if robotics might be in your future.
Things you can do on this site:
–Answer the question: What Is Robotics?
–Practice your programming skills with the interactive robotic activity.
–Watch and download video and multimedia features about robotics.
–Follow a timeline tracing the history of robotics.
–Check out lesson plans for your classroom.
–Stay up-to-date with information about NASA-supported robotics competitions.
–Visit the Robotics Image Gallery.
–Explore other worlds with NASA through robotic spacecraft discoveries.
–Read about scientists and engineers who design and test robots.
–Browse NASA Web sites for information about robotics.
Visit the new NASA Robotics website at: http://www.nasa.gov/education/robotics
Filed under: Educational Materials, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Teacher Opportunities, Webcasts
NASA’s Digital Learning Network presents a series of videoconferences to assist educators in staying current on NASA education resources and related products.
During each event, product producers, authors and experts will demonstrate their materials designed to optimize awareness and understanding of science concepts. Instructional objectives, accessing the materials and primary contacts for the materials will also be discussed. During the videoconferences, participants will be able to submit questions to the presenter that will be addressed during the presentation.
In the coming months, the following topics will be covered:
— Using NASA eClips™ to Engage Millennial Learners: Nov. 18, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EST
— Exploring Space Through Math: Dec. 16, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EST
— STS-131 Robotics: Jan. 27, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EST
— NASA Fit Explorers Feb. 24, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EST
— NASA eProfessional Development Network — Robotics Course: March 31, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
— MoonWorld: April 28, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
— On the Moon: May 26, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
For more information about these videoconferences and to sign up online, visit http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/webcast/ .
Filed under: Best Practice, Educational Materials, K-12, Lesson Plans, Mathematics, NASA, STEM, Science, Teacher Development, Workshop
John Ensworth at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and the NASA Science Mission Directorate invite you to attend an upcoming online professional development workshop.
Topic: Enrichment Problems in Space Science XVI
In the sixteenth bi-monthly installment of these mission- and inquiry-oriented mathematics problems, Dr. Sten Odenwald will supply background for and lead participants through problems from his “Problems in Space Science” series. The goal of these problems is to teach students about space weather by using mathematics. Each problem begins with real world questions, missions and situations, and applies the necessary mathematics for a solution. Participants may ask questions and work along in this fully interactive Webinar environment. http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m., EST (Greenwich Mean Time -05:00, New York)
Participants must first register for this meeting. There is no cost for this event. Note: Only the first 150 registrants will be accepted. Register ASAP!
If this meeting is full, you will receive an e-mail that reads:
“Your registration for this meeting is denied.”
In that case, we ask you to please join us in the next workshop! If you do miss this event, we will send you the link to a video archive of the workshop so you will still be able to benefit from the exercises.
Please join the meeting 10-15 minutes before start to make sure your computer is prepared to run the Webex software. You may also pre-install the Webex plug-in following the instructions at the bottom of this e-mail.
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Where to register for this meeting
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1. Go to https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?ED=123584897&RG=1&UID=1117126777&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D.
2. Register for the meeting.
Once the host approves your request, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for joining the meeting.
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Closed Captioning is available during the Webinar. A link to this will be provided closer to meeting time.
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For assistance
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1. Go to https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/mc
2. Click “Assistance”.
3. Click “Support”.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This WebEx service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. By joining this session, you automatically consent to such recordings. If you do not consent to the recording, do not join the session. This video and earlier product videos will be available via a Web-based archive tool will soon be located at: http://www.strategies.org/education/index.aspx?sub=education&sub2=professional
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To check the setup of your computer and pre-install the plug-in software, use the following links:
WebEx will automatically setup Meeting Manager for Windows the first time you join a meeting. To save time, you can setup prior to the meeting by clicking this link: https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/meetingcenter/mcsetup.php
The host requests that you check for compatibility of rich media players for Universal Communications Format (UCF) before you join the session. UCF allows you to view multimedia during the session. To check now, click the following link: https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/systemdiagnosis.php
Meeting Manager for Microsoft® Windows® – MSI Installer
• Meeting Center automatically downloads, installs and configures Meeting Manager for Windows the first time you start or join a meeting. However, you may choose to download and run the Meeting Manager Installer before starting or joining a meeting. You must have administrator privileges on your computer to use this installer.
• Download Meeting Manager Installer for Internet Explorer https://nasa.webex.com/client/T25L/atmcie.msi
• Download Meeting Manager Installer for Mozilla Firefox/Netscape Navigator https://nasa.webex.com/client/T25L/atmcns.msi
Meeting Manager for Mac® OS X (PowerPC)
• Meeting Manager for Mac OS X (PowerPC) is set up automatically the first time you start or join a meeting. The Installer for Mac OS X (PowerPC) can be used to manually install or uninstall Meeting Manager for Mac OS X (PowerPC).
• Download Meeting Manager Installer for Mac OS X (PowerPC) https://nasa.webex.com/client/T25L/mac/powerpc/webexinstaller.hqx
On Nov. 16, 2009, Painted Lady butterflies will fly aboard space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station. The butterflies will spend several months in space as part of an exciting experiment to observe their life cycles and behaviors in microgravity. And your class is invited to participate.
The butterflies will live in a special habitat, which provides a safe environment, food and water. Photos and video will be transmitted back to Earth and made available on the BioEd Online and K8 Science Web sites. Students can view the data and join in the investigation in real time.
Teachers are also encouraged to engage their students in concurrent activities with their own butterflies. Everything needed to get started is available on BioEd Online or K8 Science. A free teacher’s guide is also available for downloading.
For additional information, visit http://www.bioedonline.org/space/STS_Mission_129.cfm and http://www.k8science.org/space/STS_Mission_129.cfm
Filed under: Astronomy, Educational Materials, K-12, NASA, Professional Development, STEM, Science, Teacher Development, Teacher Opportunities, Workshop
Teacher Training Opportunity: Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Program
The Lewis Center for Educational Research announces an opportunity for K-12 teachers to participate in a unique program. The Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Program, or GAVRT, is an education partnership involving NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and LCER. The program is a K-12 project using radio astronomy to provide an opportunity for students to experience real science and to learn that science is an ongoing process and actual discovery is possible. Using classroom computers, 32,000 students have taken control of a 34-meter, 500-ton, nine-story-tall radio telescope located at NASA’s Deep Space Network at Goldstone, Calif. There are currently 473 trained teachers at 283 schools in 37 states across the United States and at American schools in 14 countries and three U.S. territories.
What is in it for the students? They learn how to gather data, understand what the data mean and how to follow through with analysis. Students and teachers team with scientists to conduct cutting-edge research leading to discovery. GAVRT is exciting for students while accomplishing educational and scientific objectives.
In 2010, the teacher training program will also include Radio JOVE. Radio JOVE is a hands-on educational activity that brings the radio sounds of the sun, Jupiter, the Milky Way galaxy, and terrestrial radio noise to students, teachers and the public. This program targets students in grades 6 – 14 and involves building a simple radio telescope, making observations, and sharing results with other participants and with professional radio astronomers.
To bring the GAVRT program into the classroom, teachers must attend a five-day class. Teacher training classes are scheduled to take place at the Lewis Center on March 8-12, July 19-23, and Oct. 25-29, 2010. The program strongly recommends that at least two teachers attend the training from each school or area. While this is not a requirement, it will definitely help in program support once back in the classroom. The cost of the five-day class is $745. Teachers interested in participating are invited to apply online at http://www.lewiscenter.org/gavrt/opportunities.php
For more information about GAVRT and Radio JOVE, visit http://www.lewiscenter.org/gavrt/ and http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov
Filed under: Aeronautics, Contest, Educational Materials, Engineering, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science
Space Math IV – Grades 9-12
This collection of activities is based on a weekly series of problems distributed to teachers during 2007-2008 school year. The problems in this booklet investigate space phenomena and math applications such as black holes, sunspots, the moon’s atmosphere, scientific notation, evaluating functions, Benford’s law and geometry. The problems are authentic glimpses of modern science and engineering issues, often involving actual research data. Each word problem includes background information. The one-page assignments are accompanied by one-page teachers answer keys.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Math_IV.html
Aeronautics Research Poster – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. The X-48B blended wing body test vehicle on the front of the poster is an example of NASA’s cutting-edge research. Besides aeronautics education and scholarship information, the back of the poster details the programs, work, research and careers of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.
Aerospace Design Poster – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. The Aerospace Design poster reflects images from the “Aerospace Design: The Art of Engineering from NASA’s Aeronautical Research” exhibit to commemorate 100 years of powered flight. Artifacts on the poster include architectural and engineering designs for wind tunnels, wind tunnel models, and designs for conceptual airplanes, past and present.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Aerospace_Design_Poster.html
INSPIRE Brochure – Grades 9-12
Students in grades 9-12 can apply to be participants in the Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience. INSPIRE is a one-year program for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Online Learning Community, the centerpiece of the program, allows INSPIRE students to interact with their peers, NASA experts and education specialists.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/INSPIRE_Brochure.html
Decades of Contributions to Tilt Rotor Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve aircraft. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a tilt rotor aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of tilt rotor aircraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Rotorcraft_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to Commercial Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve commercial air travel. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a commercial aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of commercial jetliners.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Commercial_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to General Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve commercial air travel. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a general aviation aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of general aviation aircraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/General_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to Rotorcraft Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve rotorcraft. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a helicopter with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of rotorcraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Rotorcraft_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to Military Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve military aircraft. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a military aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of military airplanes.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Military_Aviation_Litho.html
Neutral Buoyancy: Astronaut Training Is Not Always “Sink or Swim” – Grades 9-12
Watch the short NASA Brain Bites video “Why Do Astronauts Practice Underwater?” and use the accompanying resource sheet to explain sinking and floating. NASA astronauts simulate floating in space as they train for spacewalks in a huge pool called the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. The video shows the NBL, and the resource sheet lists questions, answers and resources to stimulate a discussion on density and Archimedes’ Principle. The resource sheet includes links to more buoyancy activities.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Neutral_Bouyancy.html
What Is the Temperature of Space? – Grades 9-12
Watch a short NASA Brain Bites video and use the accompanying resource sheet to explain why objects traveling through space have a temperature but space does not. The resource sheet contains questions and answers to stimulate a discussion about the types of heat transfer, solar absorptivity, IR emissivity, and how NASA designs spacecraft and spacesuits for astronauts.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/What_Is_the_Temperature.html
Spacesuits: Pressurized Protection from Thermal Effects – Grades 9-12
Start with the NASA Brain Bites video “How Do You Scratch Your Nose in a Spacesuit?” for basic information about the suits. Then build on the video with a discussion of how the suit is like a “personal spacecraft.” This resource sheet lists discussion questions, answers, and resources about spacesuits and air pressure. In an application of Ohm’s Law, students calculate the current drawn by the heaters in a spacesuit glove. The resource sheet includes additional links and resources about spacesuits and albedo.
Ares I Can Model – All Grades
NASA plans to send humans back to the moon and on to Mars. To do this, the agency is developing a new rocket called the Ares I. Teachers and students can build an Ares I model. This easy-to- build model, made of cans of foods, was originally created to give visually impaired students an idea of the structure and relative sizes of the parts of Ares I.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Ares_I_Can_Model.html
“Out of Sight” Remote Vehicle Activity – Grades 5-9
Engineers and scientists tested the FIDO rover in the Mojave Desert. The rover drivers worked out of a trailer without watching the rovers. In similar fashion, in this activity students drive a remote-controlled car through a course to learn the challenges faced while trying to operate a planetary rover. They will use measurement, geometry and problem-solving skills to move through the course.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Out_of_Sight_Activity.html
Rover Races Activity – Grades 5-9
Students learn the challenges of operating a robot on Mars from Earth. In this simulation, the rover drivers upload their commands to their rovers (team of three blindfolded students) to travel around obstacles on the Martian surface (red paper on the floor) and complete the mission.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Rover_Races_Activity.html
Buzz Lightyear ‘Putting It All Together’ Activity – Grades 3-8
Buzz Lightyear has the distinguished honor of having been the longest-serving toy in space. He launched May 31, 2008, aboard the space shuttle Discovery with mission STS-124. He returned on Discovery 15 months later on Sept. 11, 2009, with STS-128. Now, back on Earth, Buzz has a challenge for your students: Create a Rube Goldberg-type device that incorporates at least 10 steps to put a marble in a cup. Students use their knowledge of the design process and physical science to design, test, modify and build a successful device.
Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge Educator Guide – Grades 5-8 & Informal
This guide is a starting point for middle school students to research and answer the challenging questions of how to maintain human habitations on the moon and other planets in the solar system. The guide focuses specifically on the need for water recycling. The guide includes background information on topics relating to the moon, Earth’s water cycle and water recycling. Several basic classroom activities on water recycling are also included.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/WLMR_Guide.html
Celebrating Apollo U.S. History and Human Geography Series – Grades 9-12
The Celebrating Apollo series provides challenging supplemental problems for students enrolled in advanced U.S. history and advanced human geography courses. NASA’s Apollo Program had a great effect on the history, politics, and social and economic indicators of the United States. Students are exposed to this rich history as they interpret its meaning and connection with other events in that era. Each problem set includes a teacher edition with scoring guide and a student edition.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Celebrating_Apollo_Series.html
Filed under: Competitions, Cool Science, Educational Materials, Educator Kit, Engineering, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
NASA is inviting students in grades 5-8 to participate in the Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge. The challenge uses real-world scenarios that meet science and mathematics content standards. Students can participate in a formal, informal or home-school setting.
Teams of up to six students will design a water recycling system for the unique environment of the moon. Teams will then test their system on a simulated wastewater stream. Proposals and results are due Feb. 1, 2010.
The winning teams will be announced in May 2010. The top three teams will receive awards. The first place team will receive an expense-paid trip to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the winning team’s visit to Kennedy, students will gain firsthand knowledge about NASA’s missions, receive behind-the-scenes tours of NASA’s launch facilities, and learn about future aerospace and engineering careers.
For more information and contest rules, please visit http://wlmr.nasa.gov/
On Oct. 28, 2009, Dr. Jay Garland will be hosting a webcast tutorial for educators on the WLMR design challenge from 4-5 pm EDT. The presentation will provide an overview of the contest objectives and schedule, demonstrate methods students will use to create and analyze the wastewater, and answer questions from the audience. The webcast can be accessed at http://dln.nasa.gov
Also available online is the Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge Educator Guide. This guide is a starting point for middle school students to research and answer the challenging questions of how to maintain human habitations on the moon and other planets in the solar system. The guide focuses specifically on the need for water recycling. The guide includes background information on topics relating to the moon, Earth’s water cycle and water recycling. Several basic classroom activities on water recycling are also included.
The guide is available for downloading at http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/WLMR_Guide.html
Filed under: Aeronautics, Educational Materials, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities
On Oct. 27, 2009, NASA launches the first flight of a new era with the flight test of the . In preparation for the flight test, NASA has launched a new Web site to involve the public in this exciting and historic event.
The “MyExploration” Web site encourages visitors to learn, explore and participate in the upcoming mission. NASA is asking the public to upload 60-second videos that finish the statement “Space exploration is important because …” These videos will be posted on the site for others to see.
The “MyExploration” Web site also has links to Ares information on the Web, including links to the latest news and information on Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
To learn more, upload your video, view videos submitted by others, and take the “MyExploration” quiz, visit http://www.nasa.gov/myexploration
Filed under: Educational Materials, Environmental Science, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science
The theme of this year’s Earth Science Week, “Understanding Climate,” promotes scientific understanding of the timely and vital topic of Earth’s climate. NASA resources and activities will be available to educators and students before, during and after this special week, which takes place Oct. 11-17:
* Tides of Change: A five-part video series on the connection between ocean and climate will be posted during Earth Science Week at http://climate.nasa.gov
* NASA’s Digital Learning Network (http://dln.nasa.gov) will host an Oct. 14 webcast with NASA oceanographers Marcianna Delaney and Gene Feldman on ocean science discoveries and careers
* NASA has contributed several items included in an Earth Science Week educator kit. To order a kit, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/
* http://climate.nasa.gov/ will be a one-stop shop for NASA Earth Science Week education resources related to understanding climate.
