spaceward bound program teacher component6/1/2015 1 a unique opportunity for teachers to plan and...

Spaceward Bound Program Teacher Component04/21/23 1

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

exploration research

Spaceward Bound

Teacher Component


Who are we?

We are NASA scientists, engineers 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.


• Immerses teachers in authentic NASA exploration research by working alongside scientists in remote and extreme environments

• 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 exploration throughout the country.

Spaceward Bound is aNASA program that…


• Utilizes the infrastructure of established partnerships and networks to:

– Identify highly qualified program participants with established interest, motivation and pre-requisite experience with science and education

– Infuse Spaceward Bound teacher learning and experience throughout the larger education community (including research)

Spaceward Bound is aNASA program that… (Continued)


Toward a Pedagogy of Exploration(the theoretical)

• While exploration is often presented as a motivational supplement to curriculum, and components of exploration are taught, no pedagogy of exploration itself exists,

• A true pedagogy of exploration would provide unparalleled experience in affective and cognitive motivations such as curiosity, discovery, bravery, disappointment, tenacity, flexibility, etc.

• Unfortunately, it also requires a synthesis of a significant number of academic disciplines, i.e. “hard” science, “soft” science, and non-science. Modern schools, curriculum and pedagogy are ill-equipped to embrace this synthesis, much less develop content, concepts and skills to teach it.

• The contribution of this expedition to the education community as a whole (including research) and to NASA is the creation of a program which enables the amalgamation of the expertise and experience of teachers with the knowledge, practice and experience of today’s explorers to begin the conceptualization and development of a pedagogy of exploration.


Program Overview(the pragmatic)

• Spaceward Bound is comprised of 2 expeditions per year:

1.K-12 teachers work alongside scientists in the field so that they can bring that experience back to their classrooms and assist in the development of pedagogy related to human exploration of remote and extreme environments.

2.Students at the upper undergraduate and graduate level (and teachers) participate as crew members in two-week immersive full-scale simulations of living and working on the Moon and Mars at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah.


Pilot Year 2006

• In June 2006, seven NES middle school teachers from around the U.S. teamed with seven teachers from Antofagasta, Chile to work alongside scientists exploring the Mars-like soils of the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile.

• Five student/scientist crew rotations at MDRS will take place between November 2006 and April 2007.


American and Chilean Teachers


Yungay Research Station


Teachers & Scientists in the Field


Do you …

• Have a passion for exploration, science and scientific research?

• Find exploration 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?


Then we invite you …

To apply to join a science expedition to explore and study the Mojave Desert in Southern California with:

Spaceward Bound: Mojave 2007

Sponsored by the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directoratein partnership with the

NASA Explorer Schools and NASA Educator Astronaut Teachers


Mojave Maps

ZZyzx


Zzyzx Research Station

http://biology.fullerton.edu/facilities/dsc/zz_about.html


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

– Mojave science

– Concepts and theories of Moon/Mars analog research


Lunar• Fresh volcanic basalt

flows• Cinder cone volcanoes• Lava Tubes

Mars Astrobiology• Precambrian stromatolites• Desert hypolithic

cyanobacteria• Desert microbiology• Soil oxidant• Hypersaline microbial

mats

Science Topics in the Mojave

Mars Geology• Dry fluvial

features• Sedimentary geology

including jarosite deposits

Other Science• Fossil trilobites• World record hot

temperatures & global warming


Volcanics


Providence Mountains


Soda Lake


Teachers will:

• In conjunction with NASA scientists, engineers and educators, conduct a field research expedition to the Mojave Desert in Southern California.

• Work with NASA scientists and engineers to perform ground-breaking science and technology research in the field

• Learn and apply current planetary exploration 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 their schools, districts, communities and beyond

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

evolution of the Spaceward Bound Program


Requirements

• Be a full-time credentialed teacher with significant teaching responsibilities in science/technology - OR - be a full-time employee in an informal education organization with responsibilities to design, develop and present science-related informal education programs for K-12

• Have at least 3 years teaching experience in either formal or informal education settings

• 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


Requirements (cont.)

• 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.)

• Able to fully participate in all-day moderate to strenuous activities in a desert environment and carry enough water to stay adequately hydrated for 8 hours

• Be available for four interactive training sessions, prior to the expedition, led by NASA and broadcast through the internet beginning in January 2007.


General Information

• Website: http://quest.nasa.gov/projects/spacewardbound/mojave2007/index.html

• Applications due end of November• Selections announced end of December • 1 1/2 hour pre-trip sessions - one in January, two in February, one in

March via internet; will cover topics such as:– Past and current Mojave research– Moon/Mars analog theory and science– Field research - design, preparation and conduct – What to bring, logistics– Yes, there will be homework! Including group work!

• All members of the Spaceward Bound 2007 team will communicate with each other frequently via email/phone during expedition preparations

• Transportation during the expedition, room, and board paid by NASA• Amount of funding available for transportation to/from the Mojave will

be known once NASA appropriations are made by Congress• Please note: it will not be possible for family members or other

parties to visit during the expedition; internet and phone access will be available - in moderation!!! All participants must stay the the Zzyzx research station.


Calendar

• Trip dates: March 25- March 30, 2007

– March 25 - Arrive at Zzyzx Research Station by noon

– March 26 - 30 Fieldwork

– March 30 - Leave Zzyzx Research Station 6:00 pm


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 colleagues - local to nationwide

• Written reflection on personal learning, program strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations - for inclusion in final NASA Spaceward Bound 2007 Program report


Application

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

– Why are you interested in participating in Spaceward Bound: Mojave?

– What experiences have you had that have prepared you for the Spaceward Bound expedition? (see Requirements)

– List educational activities in which you have participated or led that would speak to your enthusiasm for and experience with bringing authentic science into your classroom/organization

– How do you envision leveraging the Spaceward Bound experience in your classroom/work group, school/organization, and through District, State and National networks?

spaceward bound program teacher component6/1/2015 1 a unique opportunity for teachers to plan and...

Documents

experience of teachers

bound teacher learning

program graduates

true pedagogy of exploration

components of exploration

fascination of exploration

significant experience

qualified program participants