Spaceward Bound
Teacher Component
A unique opportunity for
teachers to plan and implement
high fidelity Moon/Mars
analog exploration research
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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.
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Spaceward Bound is a NASA
program that…
– 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.
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Spaceward Bound is a NASA
program that… (cont.)
• Utilizes the infrastructure of established
partnerships and networks to:
– Identify highly qualified program participants
with established interest, motivation and prerequisite experience with science and education
– Infuse Spaceward Bound teacher learning and
experience throughout the larger education
community (including research)
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Toward a Pedagogy of
Exploration (the theoretical)
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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.
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Program Overview (the
pragmatic)
•
Spaceward Bound is comprised of two
expeditions per year:
1.
2.
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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.
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.
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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.
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American and Chilean Teachers
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Yungay Research Station
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Teachers and Scientists in the
Field
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Teachers and Scientists in the
Field
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Teachers and Scientists in the
Field
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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?
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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
Directorate in partnership with the NASA Explorer
Schools and NASA Educator Astronaut Teachers
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Mojave Maps
ZZyzx
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Zzyzx Research Station
http://biology.fullerton.edu/facilities/dsc/zz_about.html
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Teacher Learning Content
• Processes of exploration in the field
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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
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Science Topics in the Mojave
Lunar:
• Fresh volcanic basalt flows
• Cinder cone volcanoes
• Lava Tubes
Mars Astrobiology
• Precambrian stromatolites
• Desert hypolithic
cyanobacteria
• Desert microbiology
• Soil oxidant
• Hypersaline microbial
mats
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Mars Geology
• Dry fluvial features
• Sedimentary geology
including jarosite
deposits
Other Science
• Fossil trilobites
• World record hot
temperatures &
global warming
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Volcanics
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Providence Mountains
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Soda Lake
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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
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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
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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.
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General Information
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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:
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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.
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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
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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
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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?
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