spaceEDUCATION

Space Science for Educators 2005

Space Science for Educators was a 12 week, 3-credit, graduate course delivered via the Internet through a two pronged approach. Participants completed a series of online modules to build content knowledge and discussed and critiqued ideas and activities that can be used to teach this content. The online modules included collaborative online activities, individual observation and “hands-on” activities.

Earth Science Field Experience 2005

This course concentrated on basic geology, meteorology, and astronomy concepts. Participants experienced hands-on methods for teaching about our Earth in addition to seeing first hand local examples of geological features. The course was taught as a traveling fieldtrip over the course of seven days and made stops at key sites in the state of Wisconsin to perform geological studies. Meteorology and Astronomy activities were incorporated as the opportunity arises as weather phenomena and good astronomy observation opportunities are impossible to predict. Each day consisted of travel and fieldwork followed by a classroom session reviewing the day’s experiences as well as planning for evening astronomy observation.

Kennedy Center 2005

Where else in the world do history and the future, nature and technology meet for an unforgettable and inspirational journey through space and time? The Kennedy Space Center has hosted millions of guests from around the world for more than 30 years -- telling the story of how the United States built a space program that launched men to the moon, orbited satellites that have improved our lives, and sent probes into distant space to solve the mysteries of the cosmos. This workshop introduced the past, present and future of space exploration to Wisconsin teachers.

History of Spaceflight - Online Course 2004

This course was a historical overview of the people and technology involved in the first half century of space exploration. The course began with Sputnik 1 Earth’s first artificial satellite and continue on through construction of the International Space Station (ISS), our first international long term habitat in orbit. The course connected the scientific goals of space exploration and technology with the political climate of the times. We will also examined how space exploration has changed the way we live our life here on Earth.

	*Exploring the Universe 2004*
	Is there ice on Mercury? How does gravity work? What are Quasars? What is the difference between neutron stars and black holes? Astronomy is much more than H-R diagrams and classification schemes! This course used the themes of gravity, motion, energy and matter while providing an introduction to our current understanding of the Universe.

Earth Science Field Experience 2004

This course concentrated on basic geology, meteorology, and astronomy concepts. Participants experienced hands-on methods for teaching about our Earth in addition to seeing first hand local examples of geological features. The course was taught as a traveling fieldtrip over the course of seven days and made stops at key sites in the state of Wisconsin to perform geological studies. Meteorology and Astronomy activities were incoporated whenever weather phenomena and good astronomy observations provided opportunities. Each day consisted of travel and fieldwork followed by a classroom session reviewing the day's experiences as well as planning for evening astronomy observation.

JPL / Goldstone 2004

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California is the heart of NASA’s Solar System exploration efforts. JPL is the home of the Cassini-Huygens, Deep Impact, Stardust and Genesis missions, NASA’s Mars Exploration program, Space Infrared Telescope Facility and many other exploration enterprises. This workshop provided participants with the first-hand experience of learning from NASA’s scientists and engineers in their actual workplaces. Teachers were able to see the math, science, and technology they teach in their classrooms at work in NASA’s efforts to explore the universe. Teachers could then use these experiences to create learning opportunities and to enlighten their students by engaging them in the excitement of space exploration. During this 3-day experience participants visited the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA’s Deep Space Network Goldstone Communication Facility, and NASA’s Dryden Research Center.

Marshall Space Flight Center Workshop 2004

Marshall Space Flight Center is the birthplace of the Saturn V Rocket that carried America to the moon in the late 60’s and early 70’s. It is at the heart of NASA’s Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and advanced propulsion programs. This workshop provided participants with the opportunity to interact with actual mission scientists and design engineers as they worked on current space exploration projects.

Kennedy Center 2004

Meteorology for Teachers - Online Course 2004

There are few aspects of the physical environment that influence our daily lives more than the phenomena we collectively call weather. Newspapers, magazines, and television stations regularly report a wide range of weather events as major news stories, an obvious reflection of people’s interest and curiosity about the atmosphere and its effect upon us. This meteorology course aimed to take advantage of our natural interest and curiosity about the weather and answer many of the questions that students have about our atmosphere.

The Scientific Quest for E.T. - Online Course 2004

What is life? How did life originate and evolve on Earth? Are there any other objects in our Solar System or Universe where life could exist? These are the “big questions” in the relatively new science of astrobiology. This course provided an overview of the multi-disciplinary science of astrobiology and its connections to the science classroom. The course was appropriate for teachers of grades 5-12 in any field of science. We touched on topics in life science (DNA, cell structure, evolution), Earth science (geology, Earth’s history, atmosphere), physical science and astronomy (gravity, light, planets, comets and asteroids, and stars).

Astronomy for Teachers - Online Course 2003

What are Quasars, MACHOs, and WIMPs? What is the difference between neutron stars and black holes? What the heck is a brown dwarf? What is the fate of our Sun and the Universe? Astronomy is much more than H-R diagrams and classification schemes! This course looked at our evolving understanding of how the Universe works, and how scientists use the entire electromagnetic spectrum to uncover the Universe’s secrets. The topics in this course included the basics of light and matter, stellar birth, evolution and death, galaxies, active galaxies (quasars), and our current understanding of cosmology.

Space Plants 2003

Teachers who attended this workshop received a free Orbital Laboratory® Program subscription, kit, and specific training on how to incorporate the program into their classrooms. The workshop included tours of both Orbitec and WCSAR, the companies who built the hardware to send these plants to space last spring. Teachers also participated in lessons on space spin-offs, collecting data, received many classroom materials, and heard tips from an experienced Orbital Laboratory® Teacher.

Glacial Geology of Wisconsin 2003

Kettle Moraine State Forest North Region near FonDuLac Wisconsin

Over the last 25,000 years, glaciers have had an even greater effect on our global landscape than earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, or floods. Wisconsin contains some of the best examples of glacial geology found anywhere in the world. The field trip will consist if visits to kames, eskers, drumlins, glacial moraines, kettle hole lakes, and other glacial features found in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition participants will learn how to use handheld GPS units and handheld transits for navigation and geological surveying.

JPL / Goldstone 2003

Space Education Initiatives sponsored and hosted 15 Wisconsin Educators at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The workshop included one full day at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, one full day at the Deep Space Network’s Goldstone Facility, and one day of speakers and presentations in Pasadena, CA. This workshop experience included the “lifecycle” tour of JPL that illustrates the entire process of designing, building and operating a robotic mission for Solar System exploration. The tour included visits to the Mars In-Situ testing facility, environmental testing facility, clean room, Team X mission design facility, Deep Space Network operations gallery, and the Space Flight Operations building. The tour of the Goldstone Facility illustrated how engineers communicate with spacecraft throughout the Solar System using giant radio telescopes.

Exploring the Solar System - Online Course 2003

Over the next two years, we will be witness to the most exciting era of space exploration since the Apollo program. It begins with the launch of the Mars Exploration Rovers in May of 2002 and includes missions to comets, Mars, the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn. The course, was designed for 4-12 grade teachers that engaged participants in an exploration of our Solar System using the most current discoveries.

Marshall Space Flight Center Workshop 2003

The workshop included 2 full days at Marshall Space Flight Center and 1 day at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Educators experienced first-hand the excitement and challenges of NASA’s space program. The goal of the workshop was three-fold: 1) to provide educators with the background and experience that will add to their knowledge base as an educator, 2) to make connections between space science and school curriculum that will allow educators to enhance their instruction, and 3) to create a network of educators within the State of Wisconsin to act as space science resources for the teaching community.

ISS Workshop 2002

Can a fish swim in space? How do plants grow in space? Do scrambled eggs stay on your fork in space? This workshop sought to answer some of the questions both kids and adults ask when imagining life in space. Teachers will learned about the following:

Physiological adaptations of the human body in microgravity
Behavior of fish and plants in space
Nutrition in space (build your own space food tray)
Wisconsin's own International Space Station control center (WCSAR)
Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC)

Teachers received a multitude of resources to help put a space science "spin" on the content they are required to teach as part of their life science curriculum. Health, nutrition, the human body, plant and animal biology and adaptations are all topics in National and State Education Standards. Teachers increased their content knowledge and participated in lessons and activities designed to reinforce these concepts for their students.

Geology 2002 Trip to Kettle Moraine

Southeastern Wisconsin has a beautifully preserved record of glacial erosion from the last ice age 13,000 years ago that makes it a perfect location for glacial geology workshops. Participants visited Greenbush Kettle, Dundee Kame, Spruce Lake Bog, several drumlins, Parnell Tower, Parnell Esker a quarry located in the outwash moraine, and The Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center.

	*NASA Glenn Research Center 2001*
	Acquire your official Lunar Sample Certification through this workshop that will focus on NASA’s Space Science Enterprise and the human exploration and development of space. Aerospace technology and Earth science topics will also be addressed. Completion of the training will certify you to receive actual Apollo lunar rock and soil and meteorite samples on loan from NASA.

Marshall Space Flight Center Workshop 2001

Travel to Huntsville, Alabama, to explore one of NASA's Human Space Flight Centers.This three-day workshop includes several tours of the facilities in the Huntsville area that design and test equipment for the International Space Station and the shuttle program. Participants will also receive training on current NASA missions and other topics in space science. Lodging, travel, and meals are provided by Space Education Initiatives.

	*Mars Workshop 2001*
	NASA's reinvigorated Mars exploration program will be showcased with the arrival of the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft in late October. The workshop will include an overview of Mars Odyssey and NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a presentation by Mars researcher, Dr. Aileen Yingst, and classroom activities related to Mars exploration.

ISS Workshop 2001

Teachers gathered downtown at Madison Area Technical College to learn how to use Space Explorers Orbital Laboratory Program in their classrooms. Dr. Bratislav Stankovic from the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR) described his role as a researching scientist for WCSAR and the plant growth payload going to the ISS Nov. 29 and to classrooms nationwide.Teachers paticipated in activities, reviewed and received online, print, video, and other multi-media resources for their science classrooms.

Geology 2001 Trip to Devil's Lake

The Devils Lake region is geologically unique. There is nothing else like it in the world. It is one of the best places in the world to learn about our planet because three fascinating periods of the earth's history are beautifully preserved here; The Pre-Cambrian, Cambrian, and Ice Age. We made stops at The Cahoon Iron Mine, Abelmans Gorge, Van Hise Rock, Parfrey's Glen, Elephant Rock, and the Dells of the Wisconsin.