Space Foundation Conducts In-Service for 120 Educators

On February 12, the Space Foundation conducted a day-long workshop for more than 120 educators in Charles County, Md. The participants were K-12 educators from across the Charles County school district, which serves nearly 27,000 students. Lead by Space Foundation Senior Aerospace Education Specialist Bryan DeBates, the workshop featured hands-on sessions in astronomy, rocketry, earth systems science, biological and physical research, and space technologies. Workshop activities included building and launching paper and straw rockets and experiencing the effects of microgravity in a "Barany Chair." These lessons provided the teachers with the tools to better incorporate the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines into their classrooms at all grade levels.

In 2007, the Space Foundation conducted two weeks of Space Discovery Institute (SDI) courses for educators in Charles County, in addition to the five weeks of SDI courses in Colorado Springs. This summer, Charles County educators will again have the opportunity to take SDI courses in astronomy, rocketry, earth systems science, and biological and physical research.

Pictured: DeBates

This article is part of Space Watch: March 2008 (Volume: 7, Issue: 3).