AMES, Iowa—Seven Iowa schools have recently been selected to become Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) partner schools, providing teachers with new opportunities in space science education.
Begun in 2004, the ISGC program sends teachers to space centers across the United States, connecting schools to NASA learning opportunities and career information.
“The goal of the ISGC Partner School program is to make a personal connection between our partner teachers and NASA,” said Jay Staker, ISGC associate director and Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development specialist. “The connection can bring the inspiration and expertise of NASA directly to Iowa youth.”
Traveling to the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala., from Feb. 21-25 will be Devin Schwiesow and Robert Peterson of St. Ansgar High School, Alyssa Dobson and Sherry Shaefer of Alta Community School, Paula Carlson and Stacey Snyder of Tripoli Community School and Jon Campbell and Louis Clark of Keokuk Middle School. Teachers will interact with actual mission scientists and design engineers as they work on current space exploration projects.
Heading to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., in April or June will be Dennis Vaughn and Jason Aker of Baxter Community School, Jill Parsons and Kari Ringgenberg-Pingel of Jefferson Elementary in Pella, Lynne Campbell of Woodward-Granger Community School and science consultant Kathy McKee from the State Department of Education. Teachers will tour the Kennedy Space Center and Astronaut Hall of Fame and interact with scientists, engineers and education specialists at the center and the Space Science Telescope Institute.
Teachers awarded the ISGC Partner School Grant are expected to apply their learning to school curriculum and science programs. They also are encouraged to create a network of educators within Iowa to act as space science resources for the teaching community.
The ISGC is part of the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and was formed in 1990. The consortium includes Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University. In addition the ISGC has a partnership with ISU Extension through the Iowa 4-H Youth Development E-SET program.
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