Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education
Date of this Version
2015
Citation
Electronic Journal of Science Education 19:2 (2015), pp. 1-19.
Abstract
This article reports on a collaborative enterprise between Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) NASA Education Projects and OSU’s College of Education preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) to engage approximately 400 middle school students for a 20-minute live downlink with Commander Kevin Ford from the International Space Station (ISS). NASA supports this opportunity through a competitive proposal process (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2014). The project’s theme, Pioneers in Space: STEM Careers on the Space Frontier, engaged both PSTs and middle school students in discussing the benefits of space research, while drawing on themes relevant to students’ regional history. PSTs prepared Pioneers in Space instructional units and led classroom activities linking 6th grade state science standards. The desired outcome was to promote a greater understanding of how space exploration benefits society and contributes to STEM innovations. This paper reports on how curriculum design and leadership experiences in space education and outreach impacted the PST participants.
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
Comments
Copyright © 2015 Electronic Journal of Science Education (Southwestern University/Texas Christian University).