Status Report

Applications Being Accepted for the Airborne Research Experience for Educators Project

By SpaceRef Editor
June 8, 2009
Filed under , ,

The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Office of Education, in partnership with the AERO Institute, NASA Teaching From Space Program, and California State University Fullerton, is accepting applications for 10 secondary educators (grades 7-12), who specialize in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, to engage in a six-week end-to-end Airborne Research Experience for Educators (AREE) from July 6-Aug. 14, 2009. The AREE project will be implemented in parallel with the Student Airborne Research Program led by the National Suborbital Education and Resource Center at the University of North Dakota.

Participants will engage in airborne science research by collecting in-flight sensor data of air, land and sea during two five- or six-hour flights aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft. The aircraft, located at Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is a flying laboratory used for Earth science observation, satellite verification and sensor development. Two instruments integrated into the aircraft’s test racks will collect sensor data for research in crop classification, algal blooms and atmospheric science, important components in understanding Earth system science. To complement the data collection process, results will be compared with data collected from scientific modeling, in-situ ocean sampling and a satellite Sensor Web.

The program will culminate with educators developing curriculum-based activities developed from their observations and experiences during the six-week program. A faculty advisor will mentor and assist educators in the development of effective and meaningful curriculum based on national education standards and state frameworks. The program is a complete end-to-end research experience in airborne remote sensing and atmospheric science, thus providing participants with a unique NASA learning environment.

Successful candidates should have a background or interest in Earth system science or environmental science research and at least two years experience teaching within a STEM discipline. Completion of coursework in teaching methodology in science or mathematics and experience in developing and implementing effective STEM curriculum are preferred. A teaching certification from an accredited institution, current full-time employment as a secondary educator and U.S. citizenship are required.

An optional program to earn graduate course credits will be available from California State University Fullerton. Participants may enroll for either three or six units through University Extended Education in SCED 495A Internship and/or SCED 495B Internship. Credit in these courses will be earned by successful completion of AREE program requirements. The cost is approximately $100/unit. These courses may be used as electives in the Master of Arts in Teaching Science program at Cal State Fullerton. Transcripts will be available following the successful completion of the program on August 14, 2009.
Applications are due June 15, 2009 or until filled. Selected candidates will be notified the week of June 15, 2009.

For more information, visit http://www.nserc.und.edu/learning/AREE.html. Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Shaun Smith at shaun.smith@nasa.gov .

SpaceRef staff editor.