spaceward bound pilot program 2006 for teachers

04/22/23 Spaceward Bound Pilot Program 2006

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A unique opportunity for teachers to plan and implement high fidelity Moon/Mars analog

exploration research

Spaceward BoundSpaceward BoundPilot Program 2006Pilot Program 2006

For TeachersFor Teachers


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Spaceward Bound Program Overview

• Field experiences for teachers and post K-12 students

• Website with background information and curriculum that ties to the field expedition and provides links to background material

• A blueprint for how a continued Spaceward Bound Program could be implemented


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Do you …• Have a passion for exploration, science and scientific

research?• Find planetary science fascinating - particularly the

utilization of places here on earth to investigate what it might be like on other planets?

• Like the outdoors and exploring new, remote places?• Like working with teacher peers, scientists, and

informal educators?• Like discovering and developing new and novel ways

to bring authentic science and scientific research into your classroom?


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Then we invite you …

To apply to join a science expedition to explore and study the Atacama Desert in Chile

with theSpaceward Bound Pilot Program 2006

Sponsored by the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in partnership with the NASA Explorer Schools


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Who are we?

We are NASA planetary scientists and educators who are passionate about our work and fervently believe that engaging students in the excitement, intrigue and fascination of exploration in the field will inspire them to become explorers themselves and join our quest to learn more about our earth and the universe beyond.


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• Of all the deserts we’ve worked in, the Atacama is the driest - it’s the most Mars-like environment on earth

• Extreme arid conditions have persisted for over 10 million years - it is one of the oldest deserts on earth

• We are conducting studies along a line from the dry (“current Mars”) to the moister areas (“analogous to early Mars”) influenced by fog

• We are looking for the border between sterility and life• If we can recognize it on Earth, we may be able to

recognize it on Mars

What is the Atacama Research ?


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– Immerses teachers in authentic NASA exploration research by challenging them to plan and implement a field research expedition

– Develops cohorts of teachers located throughout the country who have significant experience in NASA field research

– Supports the strategy of “go forth and multiply” by facilitating the training of peers by program graduates and dissemination of NASA science throughout the Explorer School system and beyond

Spaceward Bound is a NASA program that…


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• Utilizes the infrastructure of the NASA Explorer Schools to – Identify highly qualified program participants with established interest,

motivation and pre-requisite experience with NASA science and education

– Infuse Spaceward Bound teacher learning and experience throughout the nationwide Explorer School network and beyond

• Connects with other NASA programs to establish a matrix of programs covering multiple applications of field research in NASA exploration and science, e.g.:– Spaceward Bound - Moon/Mars analogs– SON Winter Story - hydrothermal science and astrobiology– Phoenix MARSFEST - mission centered exploration

Spaceward Bound is a NASA program that… (cont.)


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Spaceward Bound Teachers will:• In conjunction with NASA scientists and educators, plan and conduct a field

research expedition to the Atacama Desert in Chile.• Work with NASA scientists to perform ground-breaking scientific research in

the field• Learn and apply current planetary exploration an science concepts, theories

and ideas• Utilize experience, knowledge, and creativity to determine how to develop

pedagogical content knowledge and methods for bringing field research into the classroom in an authentic, relevant and educative manner

• Actively support and provide training on PCK and methods to peer teachers within the NASA Explorer School program and beyond

• Mentor subsequent cohorts of Spaceward Bound teachers• Utilize their learning and experience to support the evolution of the

Spaceward Bound Program


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Teacher Learning Content• Processes of exploration in the field

– Logistics and transportation– Energy and life support– Human factors– Exploration and EVA activities

• Science content and processes– Atacama science– Concepts and theories of Moon/Mars analog

research


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Requirements• Be a full-time credentialed teacher with significant teaching responsibilities in science and at least

3 years teaching experience• Graduate degree in either science or science education preferred• Strong interest in thinking about and developing pedagogical content knowledge and methods for

bringing NASA field research into the classroom• Experience working in teams and leading teams of teachers• Experience in developing and delivering professional development to peers and beginning

teachers• Strong connections with science education and science community (e.g. science teaching

organizations, local museums/science centers, etc.)• Significant outdoor experience, e.g. Camping in remote areas with few amenities; enjoy “roughing

it”• No significant health problems that would preclude full days of moderate to strenuous activity• Passport valid through the end of December 2006 (Chilean requirement) - non US citizens must

acquire any necessary visas to enter Chile with passport from home country• Current on all recommended immunizations for travel to Chile• Hold valid international driver’s license• Be available for five interactive training sessions, led by NASA Ames and broadcast through the

DLN system


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Spaceward Bound 2006 Activities• Applications due midnight January 31, 2006• Selections announced February 15, 2006 (6 teachers will be selected)• One 1 1/2 hour pre-trip session per month (February, March, April,

May, June dates TBD) via DLN; will cover topics such as:– Past and current Atacama research– Moon/Mars analog theory and science– Field research - design, preparation and conduct – What to bring, logistics

• Note: all members of the Spaceward Bound 2006 team will communicate frequently via email/phone during expedition preparations

• Airfare, transportation, room, board paid by NASA• There will potentially be opportunities for exploration into the

interior of the Antofagasta region as time permits


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Spaceward Bound Expedition Calendar

• Trip dates: June 20 - July 1, 2006– June 20: fly to Santiago, Chile– June 20 - 21: drive to Yungay Research Station

(south of Antofagasta); overnight in Copiapo– June 22 - 28: field work– June 29: drive to Santiago– June 30: fly home


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Post Expedition Requirements• Journals of field expedition experiences to be

posted on website• Plan for leveraging of field expedition experiences

into classrooms• Plan for outreach to all NASA Explorer Schools via

DLN network• Written reflection on personal learning, program

strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for inclusion in final Spaceward Bound Pilot Program 2006 report


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Application• General information form• Recommendation letter from Principal• Essay questions

– Why are you interested in participating in Spaceward Bound?– What experiences have you had that have prepared you for

the Spaceward Bound expedition? (see Requirements list)– What Explorer School activities have you directly

participated in?– How do you envision leveraging the Spaceward Bound

experience in your classroom, school, and throughout the Explorer School system?

• ??? Should we limit to teachers from Explorer Schools in their 2nd or 3rd year?

spaceward bound pilot program 2006 for teachers

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