“Teachers in Space” Becomes “Citizens in Space”
Teachers in Space, a nonprofit program that seeks to put large numbers of astronaut teachers into American classrooms, is undergoing major changes. Teachers in Space is now becoming “Citizens in Space.” The new name indicates a new emphasis on citizen science as well as citizen spaceflight.
The United States Rocket Academy created Teachers in Space to allow large numbers of teachers to fly in space and return to the classroom. Teachers in Space acquired a contract for 10 space flights with one of the new suborbital companies — Mojave, California-based XCOR Aerospace. This contract represents the largest single bulk purchase of suborbital flights to date. Teachers in Space also selected its first Pathfinder astronaut candidates. These astronaut candidates are already training with instructors such as former Space Shuttle command and XCOR Aerospace chief test pilot Col. Rick Searfoss (USAF-ret.).
As we developed Teachers in Space, the United States Rocket Academy received public feedback calling for a broader, more inclusive program. That feedback included numerous requests from private, religious, and home-school teachers, informal educators, and others.
At the same time, we realized that new technological developments are making it possible for private citizens to become involved in the scientific process. More and more, the professional scientific community is recognizing the importance of contributions made by citizen scientists. Citizen scientists are now discovering exoplanets and dinosaurs, monitoring climate and endangered species, and helping to map the human genome.
The United States Rocket Academy believes the development of low-cost reusable suborbital spacecraft will be the next great enabler, allowing citizens to participate in space exploration and space science.
Citizens have told us that education is not just a process that occurs within the public schools. Science fairs, hackerspaces, museums, as well as public, private, religious, and home schools all have a role to play.
The United States Rocket Academy is listening to those citizens by creating a more inclusive program that will allow teachers, students, informal educators, and others to become citizen scientists and citizen astronauts.
We still want to put a thousand astronaut teachers into American schools, but we also want to engage America’s students and reach out to the public through museums, science centers, and other venues. We want to make space research and space exploration part of the mainstream, not treasures locked away in the ivory tower.
When Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad was asked what it was like to fly in space, he said, “Everybody should go!” We agree.
Citizens in Space will soon announce a new Pathfinder program for teachers and others who want to become citizen astronaut candidates.
Space is not just the final frontier. It’s the citizen-science frontier.
The latest details can be found on our website at www.citizensinspace.org.
LATEST POST
NGSS and the Primary Classroom
by Michelle French
Since the public reviews of the Next Generation Science Standards have come to a close, like many primary teachers, I’ve been wondering what science will look like in kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms. Learn More…
What is it April Explanation
It is a photo of:
“SOL Grotto, 2012. 1368 glass tubes, paint. Fabrication: Matarozzi Pelsinger, Rael San Fratello Architects. SOL Grotto is a contemporary take on a grotto or Throeau’s cabin – a spartan retreat that is a space of solitude and close to nature – where one is presented with a mediated experience of water, coolness and light. The SOL Grotto also explores Solyndra’s role as a company S#@t Out of Luck. 1,368 of the 24 million high tech glass tubes destined to be destroyed as a casualty of their bankruptcy, are used in the installation. The tube’s original role as a light concentrating element is extended to transmit cool air into the space via the Venturi effect, to amplify sounds from the adjacent waterfall via the vibrations of the tubes cantilevering over the creek, and to create distorted views of the garden. The form of the electric blue array evokes Plato’s Allegory of the Cave where shadows, light and sounds can call reality into question.”
http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/whatsnew/NaturalDiscourse/artists.shtml
Responses from Readers:
Peter A’Hearn: Rush hour in little blue circle land.
Full image:
CSTA Member Katherine Schenkelberg Awarded 2013 Vernier/NSTA Technology Award
by Valerie Joyner
Congratulations to CSTA member and STEM Educator, Katherine Schenkelberg, of West High School, in Torrance, CA! Katherine was recently awarded one of the 2013 Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards. An appointed panel of experts selected her for her innovative use of data-collection technology. “The use of data-collection technology in the classroom helps foster students’ interest in STEM education and provides them with engaging, hands-on opportunities for scientific investigation,” said David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier and a former physics teacher. “For ten years Vernier and NSTA have recognized innovative STEM educators through this award and this year’s winners are no exception – their projects and programs truly utilize the power of data-collection technology as part of the teaching and learning process.” Learn More…
Election for CSTA’s Board of Directors 2013-2015 Now In Progress
by Tim Williamson
Members of the California Science Teachers Association are now in the process of voting for qualified CSTA members to fill the seven openings on the CSTA Board of Directors for the 2013-2015 term.
The election is being conducted electronically and opened for voting on April 16, 2013. Voting will close on May 16, 2013. All CSTA members were sent links to the online ballot. Members for whom we do not have current email addresses or who request a paper ballot have been mailed a ballot and candidate statements. Learn More…
Leave a Reply