NASA Education Express Message Sept. 30, 2010
Check out the following NASA opportunities for the education community. Full descriptions are listed below.
Taking Up Space Blog
Audience: 9-Higher Education Students
Free Webcast — Animals in Space
Audience: K-8 Educators
Event Date: Oct. 7, 2010
NASA BEST Students Curriculum Workshop in Montana
Audience: K-8 Educators
Event Date: Oct. 21, 2010
“My Place in Space” Art Contest
Audience: K-4 Students
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2010
2011 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award
Audience: K-12 Educators
Deadline: Jan. 15, 2011
2011-2012 Fellowship in Aerospace History
Audience: Higher Education Students
Deadline: March 1, 2011
— Taking Up Space Blog
NASA Education is excited to introduce education writer Heather R. Smith’s new blog, Taking Up Space. Geared toward students in high school and college, the blog features fun stories about people and events that Smith is currently researching. The blog is a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to cover the education “beat” at NASA.
In addition to the blog, Taking Up Space is on Facebook and Twitter. For updates on when new blog entries are posted and to stay up-to-date on education articles and student profiles, become a fan of the Taking Up Space Facebook page and follow the @NASAblogTUS Twitter feed.
During the next space shuttle mission, Smith is going to participate in a live downlink with astronauts on the International Space Station. To prepare for the interview, Smith is posting some of the subject areas and possible questions to ask the astronauts on the Taking Up Space Facebook page. Visit the page to help choose the questions that the astronauts will answer.
To read the Taking Up Space blog, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/takingupspace.
— Free Webcast — Animals in Space
The Aerospace Education Services Project, or AESP, is presenting a free webcast on Oct. 7, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. EDT. This webcast is part of a continuing series of events to support the Year of the Solar System. Teachers of grades K-8 are invited to explore classroom resources on the early history of human exploration of outer space in this hour-long professional development webcast. The webcast will show teachers how to use NASA curriculum support materials in the classroom.
For more information and to view the webcast, visit http://neon.psu.edu/7Oct2010/.
If you have any questions about the webcast, please contact William O. Robertson at william.o.robertson@nasa.gov.
— NASA BEST Students Curriculum Workshop in Montana
NASA is hosting a professional development opportunity in Missoula, Mont., on Oct. 21, 2010. This workshop is an introduction to the NASA’s Beginning Engineering, Science and Technology Students curriculum. The BEST Students curriculum is designed to teach students in grades K-8 about the engineering design process. NASA wants students to understand that one must ask questions, imagine solutions and design a plan before ever building an experiment. The hands-on activities in this guide are therefore different than others – students have no recipe to follow! Let them think outside the box when designing and building the next lunar buggy to explore the moon!
This event is open to all educators, informal and formal. To sign up for this free professional development opportunity, please contact Dr. Marci Delaney (marci.delaney@nasa.gov) or Kay Fladstol of Visionet (kay.fladstol@vision.net).
For more information about the NASA BEST curriculum, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/index.html.
— “My Place in Space” Art Contest
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is sponsoring the “My Place in Space” art contest. The contest is open to students in grades 2-4 who are residents of the United States. This year’s contest invites young scientists and artists to explore our solar system and beyond. Artwork will be judged by a panel including artists, educators and scientists.
Entries must be submitted by mail and must be received by Nov. 1, 2010.
For more information about the contest and to find related educational materials, visit www.strategies.org/ArtContest. Questions about this contest should be directed to info@strategies.org.
— 2011 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award
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 2011 at the 27th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2011.
Applications and more information are available online at http://www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm.
Questions about this award should be directed to amfreg@amfcse.org.
— 2011-2012 Fellowship in Aerospace History
NASA and the American Historical Association will fund one fellow, for one academic year, to undertake a research project related to aerospace history. Applicants must possess a doctoral degree in history or in a closely related field, or they must be enrolled in a doctoral program and have completed all course work. A stipend of up to $20,000 will be awarded.
Applications and letters of recommendation must be postmarked by March 1, 2011.
For more information about the fellowship and to download the application form, visit http://www.historians.org/prizes/NASA.htm.
Please e-mail any questions about this opportunity to aha@historians.org.
