Report from Headquarters


Teachers Search for Life

Written by: developer

Teachers Search for Life The Space Foundation’s Space Across the Curriculum professional development courses for teachers continued during July with “Astronomy Principles for the Classroom: Exploring Our Universe and the Search for Life.” The course examines astronomy as it relates to astrobiology and the development of life on Earth.

Participants investigated extremophile organisms by conducting fieldwork at the Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs, Colo., and explored the possibility of life on other planets. They spent an evening stargazing and learning to use a planisphere to view worlds that may harbor life.

The 21 teachers attending the class represent schools in five states. Space Across the Curriculum courses focus on national standards and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles. The full-day, week-long classes are held at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute in Colorado Springs and offer continuing education credits and/or coursework applicable to masters degrees in curriculum and instruction with a space studies emphasis. The courses provide lessons that are experiential, hands-on, adaptable for various grade levels and immediately transferable to the classroom.

Learn more about Space Foundation education programs at www.spacefoundation.org/education.

Pictured:  An underwater robotics exercise in the Space Foundation Space Across the Curriculum course, “Astronomy Principles for the Classroom: Exploring Our Universe and the Search for Life.”

 

This article is part of Space Watch: August 2011 (Volume: 10, Issue: 8).


Posted in Report from Headquarters