Filed under: Aeronautics, Cool Science, Educator Kit, K-12, NASA, Research, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
“Kids in Micro-g!” is a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5-8. Its purpose is to give students a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and aboard the International Space Station.
The winning experiments will have observably different results when the experiments are performed in the “1-gravity” or “1-g” environment of the classroom, compared to when the experiments are performed by astronauts in the “Micro-g” (one-millionth of 1-g) environment of the space station. The apparatus for the demonstration must be constructed using materials from a materials tool kit provided to the astronauts on board the space station. The tool kit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations.
The experiment demonstration must take no more than 30 minutes to set up, run and take down. Experiment challenge winners and runners-up will be selected regionally and nationally by the Education offices of the ten NASA centers. The ten regional winners, one national winner and one national runner-up winner will have their experiments conducted by the astronauts on board the space station in the April-May 2010 timeframe. The experiments will be recorded in HD video and the winners supplied with copies of their video before the end of their school year.
Experiment proposals may be submitted by educators on behalf of their student groups. Proposals may be submitted via e-mail or postal mail during the period from Jan. 4, 2010, through Feb. 19, 2010.
The winning experiment proposals will be announced on April 2, 2010.
For more information about the challenge, including a scoring rubric, proposal requirements and a list of materials available to the astronauts, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/nlab/experimentchallenge.html
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
Do you know K-12 teachers or district-level administrators who are making a difference in education through the use of technology? Recognize their achievements by nominating them for the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, in partnership with NASA and the Space Foundation, will recognize the accomplishments of one outstanding individual and his or her contributions to lifelong learning through the application of technology in the classroom or professional development of teachers.
Technology personnel and K-12 classroom teachers who have demonstrated exemplary use of technology to enhance learning are eligible for this award. School principals, superintendents or associate superintendents may nominate eligible candidates. The award will be presented in April 2010 at the 26th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. The deadline for applications is Jan. 16, 2010.
Applications and more information are available online at http://www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm
Filed under: Best Practice, K-12, STEM, Science, Teacher Opportunities, fellowships
Applications are currently available for the 2010-2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. This program is open to current public or private elementary and secondary mathematics, technology and science classroom teachers with demonstrated excellence in teaching.
Selected teachers spend a school year in a congressional office, the Department of Energy, or a federal agency such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Applicants for this program must be U.S. citizens and be currently employed full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district. Applicants must have been teaching full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years. Three recommendations are required. One must be from a school district official.
During the fellowship, each Einstein Fellow receives a monthly stipend plus a monthly cost of living allowance. In addition, there is a moving/relocation allowance as well as a professional travel allowance.
The deadline for applications is Jan. 13, 2010. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.trianglecoalition.org/fellows/einapp.htm
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: Competitions, Engineering, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
Registration is now open for the 17th Annual NASA Great Moonbuggy Race. The race will take place April 9-10, 2010, in Huntsville, Ala., at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. High school and college students are required to design a vehicle that addresses a series of engineering problems similar to those faced by the original lunar-roving vehicle team. Each school may enter up to two teams. Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2010.
Learn more about this exciting competition at http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov/index.html
Filed under: Environmental Science, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities | Tags: Earth Science
NASA’s DEVELOP Program – 2010 Spring Session
The DEVELOP program is a NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences program that fosters the training and development of students in the atmospheric and Earth sciences. The DEVELOP program extends the application of NASA Earth science research and technology to meet societal needs.
Students conduct projects that focus on the practical application of NASA’s Earth science research and demonstrate how results can benefit partner organizations and local communities. Advisors and mentors from NASA and partner organizations provide the guidance and support for the program. Students gain experience by using NASA science and technology in a professional setting.
Students from high school through doctoral levels are chosen in a competitive application process. The selected students work on teams at eight locations nationwide. Activities are conducted during three 10-week terms per year: summer, fall and spring.
Applications for the spring 2010 session are due Nov. 30, 2009.
For more information about this unique internship opportunity, please visit the DEVELOP Web site at http://develop.larc.nasa.gov
