In 2008, NASA will present a series of NASA Future Forums around the United States to support NASA’s 50th anniversary celebration and to bring the space exploration vision to the public.
One January 24-25, the Museum of Flight in Seattle is honored to be the first venue for the forum which focuses on the past, present, and future of NASA and its contributions to the Nation for the advancement of science, technology, engineering, education and the economy. The event will also highlight NASA’s Constellation Program—America’s return to the Moon and beyond.
NASA’s Future Forum takes place over two days and will feature a teacher workshop on January 24. Information on the events and how you can participate are provided below.
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Becoming the Catalyst: Inspiring Students to Become 21st Century Explorers
In this two-part workshop, teachers are introduced to a wide variety of web-based educational resources developed by NASA and its Future Forums partners. Some sites demonstrate everyday applications of 21st century innovations, while others delve into the challenges NASA faces as Americans return to the Moon and head towards Mars.
As 21st century explorers, today’s students will play a significant role in helping STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) communities achieve high goals. Part two of this workshop guides teachers through steps to create their own Space Weather Action Center in their classrooms. Through the Space Weather Action Center, students will monitor the progress of an entire solar storm from the time it erupts from the sun to the time it eventually sweeps past our small planet, generating changes in our magnetic field. Resources for this segment will come from NASA’s educational resources, “Tracking a Solar Storm” and the “Space Weather Action Center” Educator’s Guide. This hands-on component helps deepen an understanding of the Sun-Earth connection within and beyond Earth’s protective magnetosphere.
Content within this workshop aligns with Washington State GLEs. The effective use of technology will be modeled throughout this training. This workshop is taught by educators from the National Institute of Aerospace and NASA. Clock hours will be offered.
Time: 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Audience: Educators teaching students in grades 3 – 12
For registration information, please call 206-768-7216.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
NASA’s Future Forum
The forum is expected to consist of several panel discussions on the role of space exploration to innovation and its contribution to promoting and sustaining economic development. While the panel discussions are invitation-only, they will be simulcast in the Museum’s Murdock Theater.
Throughout the day, Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium members will highlight research and education opportunities available to Washington state students. In addition to the panel discussions, the Museum will host a special NASA exhibit in the side gallery reflecting aspects of the agency such as exploration, space operations, science and aeronautics.
NASA will also loan the Museum a Mars meteorite for a limited engagement. The meteorite, named Elephant Moraine 79001 (or EETA79001 for short) was found in Elephant Moraine Antarctica on Jan. 13, 1980 and is classified as a Basaltic Shergottite. Weighing 34 grams and approximately the size of a thumb, it will be on display beginning Jan. 24. The Museum is hoping to extend the loan beyond the end of the NASA Future Forum exhibit which ends Jan. 27.
Time: Throughout the day
Audience: School audiences; general public
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Educational Progams related to NASA’s Future Forum
Education programs offered by the Museum that relate to the NASA Future Forum include:
The Dream of Flight Tour – A Docent led tour for students in grades 7 – 12.
Program fee: $4.00 per student.
Challenger Learning Center
A simulated space mission for students in grades 5 – 12.
Program fee: $500 per group, $400 if the teacher attends a CLC Educator Workshop.
Additional information about all of the Museum’s education programs can be found on the Museum’s web site, http://www.museumofflight.org . To register for a program, please call 206-764-1384.
The Museum of Flight offers a number of financial assistance options for groups that would like incorporate this once-in-a-lifetime experience into an interactive, education program. Financial assistance is available for all groups that have at least 35 percent of students receiving free or reduced school lunch. Additional information and an application form can be found on the Museum’s web site, http://www.museumofflight.org .
For more information on attending NASA’s Future Forum, please contact Washington NASA Space Grant Program at 206-543-1943 or e-mail nasa@u.washington.edu
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