Space Education Outreach in Developing and Established Communities in El Salvador and the United States
- Paper number
IAC-07-E1.3.05
- Author
Ms. Marcia Fiamengo, Axiom Space, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Abby Burnett, El Salvador
- Coauthor
Ms. Anna Mortier, Axiom Space, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Studying space education outreach in developing and established communities in El Salvador and the United States presents an opportunity to create a solid cultural model for future outreach reference. Inspiring and educating the "next generation" of students and explorers in any community requires ensuring a framework of support and encouragement for space exploration among educators, parents, and administrators. Instilling students with an appreciation for science and mathematics is imperative, but the continual reinforcement of these values by adults in close contact will do much to secure the necessary outcome. In order to adequately address this necessary connection with community adults, special consideration must be given to a wide range of influences. This paper will compare the obstacles encountered in the development and implementation of space education outreach programs at primary and secondary education facilities and informal forums in the United States and El Salvador. Studies at private, public, religious, and tribal schools in communities of varying socio-economic status will be covered in the discussion. Attention will be paid to cultural acceptance of and resistance to space education, reception commonalities among communities, specific delivery methods and learning incentives. Data will be acquired through a series of informal interviews, surveys, and recorded observation of teaching methods and outreach instances. Analysis of collaboration avenues, such as partnerships with U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers and Engineers-Without-Borders, will contribute to suggestions for future endeavors.
- Abstract document