OSGC Educational Resources Blog

Join NASA and NSTA for a series of free Web seminars focusing on a wide range of topics. All Web seminars will include information and resources for educators available from NASA Web sites. During the live Web seminars, presenters will share their expertise and answer questions live from the participants.

Mapping the Moon: Simulating LOLA in the Classroom

Join NASA and NSTA for a Web seminar focusing on the topics of lunar exploration, mapping, remote sensing, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. LRO will launch in late 2008 with these objectives: to find safe landing sites for future manned lunar missions, to locate potential resources, to characterize the radiation environment and to demonstrate new technology. Designed for educators of grades 4-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Mapping/webseminar.aspx

Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet

Join Greg Mehall, instrument manager, systems engineer and mission manager for multiple robotic missions to Mars, as he shares his expertise in systems engineering. Mehall will give participants a “behind-the-scenes” look at what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 14, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar12.aspx

21st Century Explorer: Today’s Knowledge for Tomorrow’s Explorer

Join NASA and NSTA for a Web seminar focusing on the 21st Century Explorer project. Each of the 21st Century Explorer project activities promotes higher-order thinking skills and expands the space exploration knowledge base of the bilingual educator, learner and family. Designed for educators of grades 3-5, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 15, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Explorers/webseminar.aspx

From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students’ Interests in Science Careers

Join scientists and education specialists from Sally Ride Science for a free Web seminar focusing on the wide variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers available and the many paths to becoming a scientist. The presenters will share their science expertise, answer participant questions, and provide information regarding Web sites students can use in the classroom. Designed for educators of grades 6-9, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 20, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminar.aspx

Polar Science, Global Discoveries: IPY Research Update for Teachers

Join NASA, NSTA, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a Web seminar celebrating the International Polar Year. The seminar will focus on global climate change and the research findings from the first year of IPY. Topics will include living systems, plants, humans, animals, adaptation, carbon cycle, air, water, migration and weather. Designed for educators of grades 5-8, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 22, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/IPY-Boston/webseminar.aspx

Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?

Join Dr. Steve Ruff of Arizona State University as he presents an update on the Mars Exploration Rovers, including a description of an important new discovery by the Spirit rover in the Gusev crater concerning water and habitability on Mars. Dr. Ruff will also talk about initial results from the proposed May 25th landing of the Phoenix mission and describe future Mars exploration plans. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on June 5, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar13.aspx

NSTA Issues National Call for Entries for the 2008–2009 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy

On April 1, NSTA announced a call for entries for the 2008–2009 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. Cofounded by the Amgen Foundation, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy is a fellowship program created to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence and improve teacher content knowledge. NSTA Fellows selected for the program will receive a comprehensive membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities, including web seminars. In addition, each NSTA Fellow will receive financial support to attend and participate in NSTA’s 2009 National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans. This year’s 150 new science teachers supported by the Amgen Foundation will be named Amgen-NSTA Fellows.

Science teachers located throughout the country who will be entering their second or third year of teaching and whose schedule is a minimum of 51 percent middle or high school science, can apply to the become an NSTA Fellow. For more information about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy or to learn how to apply to become a fellow, please visit www.nsta.org/academy.

Applications must be submitted no later than May 23, 2008, to be considered.

Join NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association for three, free Web seminars on the topic of the International Polar Year. Designed for educators of grades 5-8, the seminars will focus on land and marine adaptations to extreme conditions, species migration, and the role of humans in polar ecosystems. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists funded by NASA, NOAA and NSF. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ presentations will be available online. The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Dec. 30, 2007, Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, 2008. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open.
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Birmingham/webseminar.aspx

NASA/NSTA Web Seminars — Inquiry in Science and Mathematics Education: Parents as Partners

Join NASA and NSTA for two, free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades K-6, the seminars will focus on how educators can better engage parents and enlist their support for inquiry-based science and mathematics education. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ PowerPoint presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 20 and Dec. 12, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open.
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminar.aspx

Join NASA and NSTA for two free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades 4-9, the seminars will focus on the biological and physical aspects of humans living and working in space as NASA completes the International Space Station, returns a human presence to the moon and looks forward to Mars and beyond. The presenters will share their scientific expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ PowerPoint presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open. Visit:
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Detroit/webseminar.aspx

Registration is open for two, free Web Seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. The seminars will focus on how educators can better engage parents and enlist their support for inquiry-based science and mathematics education. The presenters will share their science and science education expertise, answer questions from the participants, and provide information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. These Web Seminars are designed for educators of grades K-6. Seminars are scheduled for November 20 and December 12, 2007.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminar.aspx

Registration is open for two, free Web Seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. The seminars will focus on the biological and physical aspects of humans living and working in space as NASA completes the International Space Station, returns a human presence on the moon and looks forward to Mars and beyond. The presenters will share their science expertise, answer questions from the participants, and provide information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. These Web Seminars, designed for educators of grades 4-9, are scheduled for October 30 and November 6, 2007.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Detroit/webseminar.aspx

From the NSTA Express Newsletter:
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., and NSTA are pleased to announce the 18th Annual Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers Program. The program is open to middle and high school science teachers who teach at least two science classes a day and to elementary classroom teachers who teach at least some science in the classroom.

This year, Toyota will offer $550,000 in grants to 70 to 82 teams of teachers throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories and possessions. A total of 50 large grants of up to $10,000 each will be awarded, along with 20 to 32 mini grants of up to $2,500 each. Large grant winners will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to the NSTA National Conference in Boston. Mini grant awardees receive a one-year NSTA membership.

For the second year, all proposals must be submitted online via the link at the Toyota TAPESTRY website. The online proposal process has been updated and improved, and character limits have been greatly expanded. The deadline for submission of online mini and large grants proposals is 11:59 p.m., Monday, January 28, 2008.

Please visit the TAPESTRY website to read more about the grants or to submit your application.
http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/

The National Science Teachers Association, in its latest newsletter to high school educators, lists a plethora of websites offiering free classroom resources for science teachers. The list is extensive so take your time and find the best activities and multimedia for your needs. Visit the NSTA’s list here:
http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2007-06/news_stories_high.htm

The National Science Teachers Association, in its latest newsletter to high school educators, lists several excellent and free resources offered by the US government for educational use.

Listings include the National Institutes of Health, NASA, The National Science Foundation, NOAA, The Department of Education, EPA, and USGS. Descriptions of free resources are available through hte links at the following NSTA website:
http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2007-06/books_high.htm