Welcome to the NGCP

National Webinar

Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Free Resources

May 29, 2019

Webinar Agenda • Introduction to NASA’s Universe of Learning and Girls

STEAM Ahead with NASA

• Exhibit and poster resources

• Hands-on activities

• MicroObservatory, DIY Planet Search, Exoplanet Travel

Bureau, Eyes on Exoplanets

• Items of Interest: Toolkits and Activity Guide

• Resource Summary Guide

• Exemplary Practices

• Q&A

Speakers

Dr. Emma Marcucci,

Branch Manager,

Science Communications and Engagement,

Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)

Holly Ryer,

Senior Education Specialist,

Space Telescope Science

Institute (STScI)

NGCP National WebinarMay 29, 2019

4

Speakers:Emma Marcucci (STScI)Holly Ryer (STScI)

An Astrophysics STEM informal learning

program funded by NASA SMD

Learners of all ages and backgrounds are engaged and immersed in exploring the universe for

themselves.

5

Empower public libraries and community-based organizations to engage girls and their families in STEM

6

• Increase awareness of how we know what we know about our universe and foster STEM identity by…

• Providing accessible exhibits, community programs, hands-on resources that feature NASA Astrophysics science and technology, and interactions with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA

7

Increasing the GOOD!

Girls who participate in STEM clubs and activities outside of school are more likely to say they will pursue STEM subjects later in their education.

Research suggests that math and science out-of-school activities are positively associated with youths’ interest in science and self-concept of abilities in these subject areas.

Family/parent involvement - it makes a

difference! Parents are role models and key influencers of a girl’s career pathway considerations. Involving family in STEM not only enriches a girl’s experiences, it also connects STEM to the home.

8

Resources: SME Involvement

Subject matter experts are embedded in everything we do.

Virtual (Zoom, Skype, Google

Hangouts)

• They work hand-in-hand with education and communications experts to design and implement activities.

• They present the latest scientific results behind our resources.

In-person (select locations)

9

Resources: Exhibits/Posters

Exhibits• Here, There, Everywhere• AstrOlympics (Winter and

Summer)• Light: Beyond the Bulb• From Earth to the Universe• Visions of the Universe

Posters• Women in STEM series• Women of Color: Pioneers and

Innovators• Exoplanet Travel Posters

Some translated to Spanish, Portuguese, German

Supplemental information available

10

Resources: STEM Activities

Paper/Pen activities• Recoloring the Universe• Scale Models (TRAPPIST-1 and

Solar System)• Binary activities• Tactile/3D Printing Resources

Computer-based activities• Recoloring the Universe• MicroObservatory

o Observing with NASAo DIY Planet Search

• Eyes on Exoplanets• Exoplanet Travel Bureau

11

Demonstration of Select Resources

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/alien-worlds/exoplanet-travel-bureau/

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/eyes-on-exoplanets/

https://media.universe-of-learning.org/documents/UoL_TRAPPIST_Scale_Model-2018-02.pdf

https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/smgphp/otherworlds/OE/

12

New Items of Interest…

Thematic Resource Guides

Life and Death of Stars Other Solar Systems, Other Earths

13

New Items of Interest…

Light & Color Activity Guide

14

New Items of Interest…

https://mo-www.cfa.harvard.edu/OWN/astrophoto/index.html

Next Astrophoto Challenge: June-July 2019 Target: The Whirlpool Galaxy!

NASA’s Astrophoto Challenges

15

Connecting Resources: Sample Pathways

Engagement/Excitement Exploration/Scientific Practices

Scientific Identity

16

Putting it into Action – Best Practices & Strategies

• Low Pressure: Emphasize learning something new and having fun. Support youth in trying, exploring, and making mistakes without judgement.

• Student-centered: Ask youth to make predictions, decide for themselves what the activity is about and what they would like to learn, and use activities that are open-ended in nature.

• Emphasize process (not just product): Encourage youth to make reasoned conjectures about problems, to explore varied approaches to tasks, and to explain and justify their work.

• Collaborative teamwork: Have students complete tasks in groups/teams if possible. Start with “ice breaker” activities to encourage teamwork for students who may not know one another.

• Gender-balanced: Create a gender-neutral, non-competitive environment. Use language and visuals inclusive of both males and females.

• Family/parent encouragement - it makes a difference: Include family members in STEM events. Provide resources for families to engage in STEM activities at home with their children.

17

Putting it into Action – Activity Tips

✓ Activities can be used by themselves or together; depending on space, time and goals.

✓ One option is to create activity stations/work areas for various activities.

✓ Have learners work in teams to select an activity of their choice, or rotate through work areas to try each one.

✓ As a follow-on, have learners generate questions as they work through the activities. Challenge them to research or locate the answers themselves.

✓ Learners can continue the fun by using computer-based activities at home or at the library.

18

Learn More!

https://www.universe-of-learning.org/gsawn

19

Evaluation

1. Please notify the GSAWN team (girlsSTEAMahead@universe-of-learning.org)

3 weeks prior to your event and include:

- Name of event and “evaluation” in your subject line- Contact name- Contact address- Estimated number of attendees

2. Use the evaluation forms sent to you from Goodman Research Group.

3. Return evaluation forms electronically after your event.

This work supported by NASA under award number NNX16AC65A to the Space Telescope Science Institute, working in partnership with Caltech/IPAC, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Sonoma

State University.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

20

Thank you for joining!