Space Across the Curriculum begins at Space Foundation

Space Across the Curriculum began June 23 at the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs, with 21 teachers from five states participating in this week’s course, “Astronomy Principles for the Classroom: Kinesthetic Astronomy.”

This intensive week-long graduate-level course is for PreK-12 educators, and provides space-related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) content that is instantly transferable to the classroom.

All of the Space Foundation Space Across the Curriculum courses focus on national standards and STEM principles. Although the underlying concentration is on STEM, the courses are structured to adapt lessons to all grade levels and all curriculum areas. Participants do not need to be science or math teachers, and public, private and homeschool teachers from around the globe are welcome.

The educators attending this week’s course, include two recipients of Space Foundation scholarships:

• Cristina Veresan, a middle school science teacher at Star of the Sea School in Honolulu, recipient of the 2014 Space Foundation Lucy Enos Memorial Scholarship
• Sherry Wilkewitz, a third grade teacher at The Classical Academy (TCA) Central Campus in Colorado Springs, the 2014 recipient of The Anna and Kathryn Probert Educator Enrichment Scholarship

This course focuses on providing teachers with hands-on activities to help students of all ages understand the motions of the galaxy, stars and constellations, astronomical research tools, 3D exploration of comets, auroras and planets. The course will also include a night of planet and stargazing with telescopes.

Learn more about Space Foundation STEM outreach and education programs here.