NASA’S EXPLORER SCHOOL AND SPACEWARD BOUND PROGRAMS: INSIGHTS INTO TWO EDUCATION PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HEIGHTEN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SPACE SCIENCE INITIATIVES
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.3.3
- Author
Mr. Matthew Allner, University of North Dakota, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Chris McKay, NASA Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Liza Coe, NASA Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. John Rask, NASA Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Vadim Rygalov, University of North Dakota, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Jim Paradise, Lockheed Martin (Space Systems Company), United States
- Coauthor
Mr. J. Judson Wynne, USGS-Southwest Biological Science Center, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Introduction: NASA has played an influential role in bringing the enthusiasm of space science to schools across the United States since the 1980s, when the organization first initiated the Teacher in Space component to the astronaut corps. The evolution of this public outreach has led to a variety of NASA funded education programs designed to promote student interest in science, technology, engineering, math, and geography (STEM-G) careers as well as to inspire students to become the nation’s next generation of explorers. Purpose: This paper investigates the educational outreach initiatives, structure, and impact of two of NASA’s largest educational programs: the NASA Explorer School (NES) and NASA Spaceward Bound (SB) programs. Both programs provide teachers with professional development opportunities such as: summer robotics training sessions; reduced gravity flight opportunities (RGO); and science expeditions to Earth-based space analog sites. Methods: The investigation further provides a detailed overview of the structure of the NES and SB programs which includes the following key components: school and teacher selection processes; student and teacher involvement/opportunities; collaboration with NASA scientists; public outreach; and grant sustainability for the NES schools, as well as the NES and SB programs. Utilizing NASA’s Digital Learning Network (DLN) is not only one of the program’s first priorities for selected schools, but one of the most beneficial, as students and teachers have access to collaborating with NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts. Results: Since its induction in 2003 the NES program has networked and provided resources to over 300 schools across the United States. Future directions for the program would be to further develop the assignment of mentor schools for each new NES school selected, while also developing a longitudinal student tracking system for students who have been a part of NES school programs, to monitor their future involvement in STEM-G careers. The SB program, now in its third year of teacher outreach, is looking to further expand its teacher network in an effort to create an infrastructure of teacher leadership density. Continuing to have teachers (that have participated in prior expeditions) return and train new teachers selected for the next expedition opportunities is an important factor in program sustainability. Another area for further development would be with regards to-post-expedition outreach, which could be greatly enhanced through, the utilization of NASA’s DLN facilities.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.3.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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