FSGC in collaboration with the Astronaut Memorial Foundation conducts a number of technology workshops for teachers in Florida.

2014 Workshop

University of Central Florida (UCF) Resident Teacher Professional Preparation Program (RP3)
The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Educator Professional Development (EPD) team provided a summer workshop for a cohort of teachers related to the UCF Masters degree teaching program on June 23-27. KSC’s EPD collaborated with the KSC ISS Ground Processing and Research Project Office to include current biological research capabilities on the ISS. The Education Office and educator specialists from the Astronauts Memorial Foundation structured the workshops to include ISS build activities and investigating space microbes on assorted vegetables and fruits for consumption aboard the ISS. The participants received an in-depth look into new research being conducted on the ISS, tours of KSC research labs, as well as resources for hands-on activities that they can incorporate into their classrooms. NASA Education partnered with the Florida Space Gran Consortia to provide workshop materials such as seeds, space garden kits, petri dishes, etc. Audience: 38 pre-service teachers (Grades K-12) and 1 university faculty

Daytona State College (DSC) Professional Development Workshop
Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC) Educator Professional Development (EPD) team provided a summer workshop for DSC preservice students, educators and faculty personnel on July 14-18. KSC’s Education office collaborated with the KSC ISS Ground Processing and Research Project Office (UB) to include current biological research capabilities on the ISS. Education and educator specialists from the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) structured the workshops to include ISS build activities and investigating space microbes on assorted vegetables and fruits for consumption aboard the ISS. The participants received an in-depth look into new research being conducted on the ISS, tours of KSC research labs, as well as resources for hands-on activities that they can incorporate into their classrooms. NASA Education partnered with the Florida Space
Grant Consortia to provide workshop materials such as seeds, space garden kits, petri dishes, etc. Participants also received lunar certifications, enhancing their knowledge of current NASA plans for future exploration of Mars and bodies beyond. Audience: 10 pre-service teachers (Grades K-12) and 3 university faculty.

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2012

Education Scholarship Program (ESP)

The Education Scholarship Program (ESP)was conducted by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF). AMF created the curriculum and provided professional development training for Florida Educators. A total of 83 educators from 17 Florida counties took part in these workshops. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects are difficult for some students to understand and enjoy, but are needed for a well-rounded education which would benefit future generations of space explorers. AMF has been specializing in the “Technology” portion of STEM since 1994 offering exceptional technology programs for K-12 educators. On a national stage, a concerted effort in the past five-years has been placed on offering Science, Engineering, and Math related training. However, focus on the Technology component has been overlooked because it is assumed teachers and students keep up with technology. The ESP program will help educators with digital technology using the space program to provide the excitement and inspiration – a truly winning combination.

 

2011

Digital Space Workshops for teachers in South Florida: 

The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF)  provided professional development training for 20 teachers in the Miami Dade County area in June of 2011. This include filming, editing, preparing and distributing film clips of participants conducting various science experiments as led by NASA Education. These film clips was  used as a basis for a completed video project developed by each teacher. AMF  provided direct training in an introductory session held at the Kennedy Space Center. This  also include providing a prominent guest speaker; Astronaut Bob Springer. The major training components took place at the Florida International University and was completed in a 2-day training session. AMF developed and taught the curriculum and provided a comprehensive manual to each participant. Participants designed, created, edited and completed a digital video project using video obtained during this program.  Collaborative learning, hands-on activities, and lecture were  combined to provide participants a well-rounded project based program.

The videos created by the teachers can be viewed at the FSGC Youtube page