Report from Headquarters
Teacher Liaisons Play Variety of Roles at National Space Symposium
Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team
Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons will be active in a variety of roles throughout the 24th National Space Symposium, from student tours to professional development workshops. The Space Foundation's highly-regarded Teacher Liaison program, now in its fifth year, selects teachers who actively promote space and science education in the classroom and the community. Those chosen for this honor serve as advocates for space science education in their classrooms, schools, and districts.
The Space Foundation recently selected the 2008 Flight of Teacher Liaisons consisting of 69 educators from across the United States, including American Samoa and Puerto Rico. This remarkable group of educators will be recognized and participate in a professional development workshop in conjunction with the 24th National Space Symposium.
The recognition and induction ceremony for the new Teacher Liaisons will take place during a breakfast on Tuesday, April 8. Following the breakfast, the Teacher Liaisons will participate in a day-long professional development workshop. Presentations by astrophysicists from NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center will contain the most current space exploration information and curriculum activities for the teachers to take back to their classrooms to inspire the next generation of explorers. Col. Eileen M. Collins, USAF (Retired), former NASA Astronaut and NASA Advisory Council Member will address the workshop participants. The 2008 Teacher Liaison events are co-sponsored by NASA.
Selected Teacher Liaisons in the Colorado Springs area who teach middle and high school will bring their students to the Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center at the symposium to experience the aerospace community first hand, while out-of-state Teacher Liaisons act as tour guides for these groups. The new "Audience with an Astronaut" program, with former NASA astronaut, Capt. Jeff Ashby, USN (Retired), will involve Teacher Liaisons and their 3rd - 5th grade classes, and Teacher Liaisons who have completed one year of service will participate in the Space Foundation Teacher Liaison professional development tour. The "Audience with an Astronaut "program and student tours are co-sponsored by Analytical Graphics, Inc. and NASA.
This article is part of Space Watch: April 2008 (Volume: 7, Issue: 4).