Apply by Dec. 5 for Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Program

If space and teaching are your passions, the Space Foundation can connect you with other like-minded educators around the globe to share ideas for bringing space themes into the classroom.

Educators from anywhere in the world, who have an interest in space, are invited to apply now to become a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison. This prestigious program has nearly 200 active participants, and helps educators use space themes to strengthen curriculum and inspire students. Teacher Liaisons do not need to be science or math teachers; they need only have a desire to integrate space education within their curriculum.

Teacher Liaisons may be any PreK-20 educator, or other professional or informal educator in the PreK-20 arena. Teacher Liaisons tend to be Master Teachers, but the program welcomes public, private and homeschool teachers and school administrators, including principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers, and others who deliver education programs to students.

Membership is open to educators in all disciplines, ranging from science and math to physical education, special education or the arts. Applicants need only demonstrate that they effectively integrate space education within their curriculum.

Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons receive numerous benefits and privileges, such as complimentary registration for, and special recognition during, the 31st Space Symposium, to be held at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, April 13-16, 2015.

Other benefits include:

• International recognition as an advocate for promoting and improving space and science education through standards-based lesson plans, training and NASA activities
• Opportunities to meet and communicate with top educators, space leaders, astronauts and scientists from around the world
• Exclusive Teacher Liaison online community for sharing ideas
• "First" opportunities to attend Space Foundation Discovery Center presentations, or participate in remote Science On a Sphere® GlobalCasts
• Opportunity to bring your class to an Audience With an Astronaut™, or participate remotely, and access to program pilots or course evaluations
• Specialized training and instruction at Space Foundation workshops with optional graduate-level credit
• Access to innovative space education materials

Among our flight of 2014 Teacher Liaisons were four outstanding educators from the Maharashtra region of India. Megha Gupta, Monika Mishra and Nalini Sengupta, all from Vidya Valley School in Pune, and Arati Patil, of Vidyanchal School, also in Pune. The four teachers attended the Space Foundation's 30th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs last May and had the opportunity to meet with a team of former NASA astronauts, along with the other Teacher Liaisons who attended.

Learn how to join this elite group of Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons here.

Pictured below in the front row from left are Teacher Liaisons: Megha Gupta, Monika Mishra, Arati Patil and Nalini Sengupta

NASA astronauts in the back from left are: Sandra H. Magnus, Ph.D.; Mark L. Polansky; Livingston L. Holder, Jr.; Leroy Chiao, Ph.D.; Kathryn C. Thornton, Ph.D.

This article is part of Space Watch: October 2014 (Volume: 13, Issue: 10).