PolarEduSpace project. The researcher and satellite bringing polar science into the classroom
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.2.3
- Author
Mrs. Birgit Strømsholm, Narom/Andoya Rocket Range, Norway
- Coauthor
Mr. Chris Stewart, European Space Agency (ESA), Italy
- Year
2008
- Abstract
NAROM (Norwegian Centre for Space-related Education), located at Andøya Rocket Range (ARR), offers educational programmes for teachers and students at many different levels to promote appreciation for the benefits of space activities, to facilitate recruitment in the space industry, and to stimulate an interest in science in general. With support from the Research Council of Norway, NAROM is running an educational IPY (International Polar Year) project as part of its activities in 2007-2008. This is based on accepted Norwegian IPY research projects that use satellite data in their research, and projects for which satellite data from PolarEduSpace may be a useful supplement to scientific results. PolarEduSpace is a project that seeks to encourage the youth, students and teachers to join in and share in the global enthusiasm of IPY events. The overall aim is to inspire and stimulate an increased interest and understanding in polar research among young people aged 13-18. Remote sensing, new satellite imagery and thematic data are used to provide an overview of science around specific themes (e.g. sea ice, weather situations, ocean currents, Sun-Earth interaction) related to relevant accepted IPY projects. On-line classroom resources and activities related to the IPY have been prepared in the space educational website sarepta.org. PolarEduSpace provides opportunities for classroom teachers and students at teacher training colleges to attend training courses where they are provided with content knowledge and ideas for activities related to current curricula, and focusing on polar science. These courses are provided both on-line and at places such as ARR and Longyearbyen. The educational IPY project will also use, as a classroom resource, material from the ESA Earth Observation educational website Eduspace. A new Glacier Module is being developed for this website, partly funded by SAREPTA. This module consists of three parts: (1) an introduction to glaciers; (2) techniques and applications of glacier remote sensing, and (3) advanced methods of glacier remote sensing. We invite Norwegian secondary school students to attend different competitions related to polar science using satellite imagery. The prize for the winner is a visit to the field working together with the IPY researcher. After the IPY period comes to an end, the published content related to PolarEduSpace in sarepta.org will be maintained and further developed, and teacher training courses will be offered. We will also secure a continuation of access to new satellite imagery delivered from Kongsberg Satellite Services and ESA.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.2.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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