Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Astronomy and Space Science Project Proposal New Jersey Space Grant Consortium Dr. Siva Thangam, Director Thomas H. Brown, Associate Director Richard A. Rossi, Associate Director

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, In Memoriam September 26, 2003 Graduated: Stevens Institute of Technology – MSE UCLA – MS in Nuclear Engineering NASA-HQ [ ] Princeton University [1967 – 1991] Head, Office Research Project Administration Associate Director Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory -- Department of Energy Board of Directors of AURA [ ] Executive Director, NASA Regional Technology Transfer Center – NJ [ ] Associate Director Program Development, New Jersey Space Grant Consortium [ ]

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Astronomy and Space Science Project Proposal Bring Astronomy and Space Science into the Classroom

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Objective  Enhance each State’s focus on Astronomy and Space Science in K-12 Education by taking advantage of the strong interest exhibited by students.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Background  NJ Science Standards were recently revised to give Astronomy and Space Science a more prominent role in science education. NJ now has 10 science standards, all being required from K-12.  NJ Science Standard 5.9 ASTRONOMY & SPACE SCIENCE All Students Will Gain an Understanding of the Origin, Evolution, and Structure of the Universe Science Standard 5.9 Strands A. Earth, Moon, Sun System B. Solar System C. Stars D. Galaxies and Universe

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Method / Procedure  Use each State’s Science Standards as the basic foundation for pursuing partnerships between SGCs, planetariums, the Space Telescope Science Institute (Hubble), Goddard Space Flight Center (JWST), and each state science teacher organization.  Use each individual states' science standards that address space/planets to determine an individualized state focus. This will give each state an opportunity to customize specific activities for their needs but use the overall resources of the workforce collaboration.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Method / Procedure  Focus on providing K-12 teachers with hands-on lessons and activities to help them teach the science of astronomy and space science. This can be presented as core content, if applicable, or in an 'educational science club' concept.  Stress that the advantage of astronomy is that students already hold a strong interest in this topic. It is a platform on which to build hands-on activities that promote the basic concepts of science required by all state standards: inquiry (predicting, observing, gathering and analyzing data), critical thinking, using models and drawing conclusions.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Key Benefits  Capitalize on students’ interest.  Advance the knowledge of the teacher base toward Astronomy and Space Sciences.  Focus students’ interest on future careers in NASA related fields.  Instill a “Cradle to Grave” philosophy in developing and educating the NASA workforce of tomorrow.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Next Steps  Determine if this project or a modified version meets the interests and needs of the Region and meets the goals of the 2004 Workforce Development Solicitation.  Form a committee to flush out details, budgets, and develop a final proposal.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Cradle to Grave Education to achieve Workforce Development  ALL Space Grant Programs need focus on SEAMLESS support of the technology of astronomy and space science in Education.  K-8 Programs need linkage to High School projects and programs that help students focus career interests in NASA-supported areas of study while still in HS.  High School student programs need to support research opportunities that lead to the pursuit of the technology of NASA-needed areas of study in college.  NASA supported Undergraduate Fellowship programs need to acknowledge High School student participants and encourage continued participation at college levels.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Grant Meeting – October 1-2, Cradle to Grave Education to achieve Workforce Development  Space Grant supported Undergraduate Fellowship Programs must be linked to university Co-Op programs that are participants with a NASA Center.  ALL SPACE GRANT educational programs need to feed into the well-established employment processes used by NASA.  FACTOID: The ONLY route for an undergraduate OR graduate student to get a job with NASA upon graduation is by participating in a NASA co-operative program BEFORE they graduate. [C. Beidel, Recruitment Manager, GSFC]  FACTOID: Direct hires in Science or Engineering at NASA have at least 10 years experience in specific areas of expertise needed by NASA. These openings are advertised in professional journals. [C. Beidel, Recruitment Manager, GSFC]