Making Outreach and Education a major component of Research Institutions: A Canadian University perspective
- Paper number
IAC-11,E1,5,16,x9692
- Author
Ms. Heather Henry, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Marianne Mader, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Dr. Gordon Osinski, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Dr. Alyssa Gilbert, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Melissa M. Battler, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Dr. Peter Brown, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Anna Chanou, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Raymond Francis, Western University, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Emily McCullough, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Amanda Papadimos, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Alexandra Pontefrac, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Bhairavi Shankar, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Alaura Singleton, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Laura Thomson, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Troy Unrau, University of Western Ontario, Canada
- Year
2011
- Abstract
At the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, a new approach is being developed to encourage graduate students, faculty, and other researchers to share their research and science enthusiasm with students of all ages. The CPSX has a vision “to strengthen and grow the Canadian space community through inspiring and training the next generation of scientists and engineers.” To do so we have begun a space awareness and learning program to: (1)Encourage young people to learn about the Earth and the Universe by engaging them in activities related to planetary science; (2)Inspire students to consider a career in science by developing their interests in planetary science and exploration; (3)Provide instruction and resources to science teachers to enable them to more easily and accurately teach planetary science and exploration topics; (4)Provide training and teaching experience for graduate students using an inquiry-based problem-based methods. Instead of traditional Teaching Assistant positions, CPSX graduate students can apply for an Outreach position and become part of this initiative. These students, under the leadership and guidance of program directors, Dr. Peter Brown and Dr. Gordon Osinski, contribute to three broad categories of space awareness and learning within the CPSX: (1)educational/curriculum based activities, (2)outreach/community based activities, and (3)training activities. Since the outreach initiative began in 2008, CPSX outreach graduate students have visited over 17 classrooms to give interactive presentations and inquiry-based activities. They have presented to over 200 students visiting the University with interactive activities both to promote science and the activities and achievements of the CPSX. Reaching into the community, this outreach group has collaborated with local the organizations and institutions including the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), the Thames Valley District School Board, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and many more. Training for graduate students wishing to become Outreach Assistants has been possible via the CSA public speaking program. This collaboration ensures that the students are trained to a standard equivalent to CSA representatives. Advantages of having an outreach group formed directly out of a research centre are two fold benefitting both the community and the research institution. By training high calibre scientists to communicate their ideas, the CPSX can produce well rounded individuals capable of reaching beyond the scientific community. In doing so, the reputation as well as the research done by CPSX can be better understood and thus supported by the community at large.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)