NASA Explorer School

Phenix City Intermediate SchoolPhenix City Public Schools

Phenix City, Alabama

NASA Explorer School (NES)

• Partners with NASA through the Marshall Space Flight Center for 3 years

• First of its kind• Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa,

Louisiana, and Tennessee

Team• Alabama Team representatives: Joe

Blevins, April Harrell, Robin Thomas, Carolyn Kimball, and Shirley Garrett

• National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) Education Facilitator: Terry Sue Fanning

• Program Director of NASA Explorer Schools: Peg Steffen

• Aerospace Education Services Representative: Will Robertson

First Year Objectives

Increase student interest and participation in science, math, and

technology

• Introduce NASA materials into existing curriculum

• Extend the use of technology in the classroom to support learning

First Year

Increase student knowledge about careers in science, math, and

technology

• Introduce students to career opportunities during regular school time and with families after school

• Identify available experts and resources in the community, as well as on-line/distance learning resources

First Year

Increase student ability to apply science, math, and technology

concepts

• Develop opportunities for inquiry learning activities

• Acquire collaborative tools (i.e. robotics and aeronautics) and identify outside expert resources

First Year

Increase the active participation and professional growth of educators in

science, math, and technology• Provide teachers and

staff with opportunities to attend in-services and/or conferences for implementing the plan, including “make and take” workshops and job embedded activities

• Develop collaborative opportunities for team building and networking within and outside of our school First Year

Increase family involvement in student learning

• Develop extensions of school activities to the home environment

• Plan special events that encourage family participation

First Year

Resources

• http://nasaexplorerschool.gov• http://education.nasa.gov• http://spacelink.nasa.gov

Specific Activities for First Year• Paint walls (Murals)• Name buildings (I.e.

Galaxy Hall, Mission Control, Milky Way Café)

• Mission Patch, mascot, and sign created

• Billboard notifying community of NES Grant

• Newspaper article and TV News coverage

• Website announcements and links

• Development of technology and science lab which will include distance learning equipment.

• Add “NASA Night” as part of our parental involvement special events.

• Purchase equipment, software, and services to support inquiry learning activities

Second Year Objectives

Increase student interest and participation in science, math, and

technology

• Integrate NASA materials into existing curriculum

• Extend the use of technology in the classroom to support learning

Second Year

Increase student knowledge about careers in science, math, and

technology

• Engage students in career explorations during regular school time and with families after school

• Utilize experts and resources in the community, as well as on-line/distance learning resources

Second Year

Increase student ability to apply science, math, and technology

concepts• Provide opportunities for

inquiry learning with an emphasis on analysis, synthesis, and problem solving

• Increase the access to collaborative tools (i.e. robotics and aeronautics) and outside expert resources

• Enable students to use NASA mission data during investigations

Second Year

Increase the active participation and professional growth of educators in

science, math, and technology• Provide teachers and

staff with opportunities to attend in-services and/or conferences for implementing the plan, including “make and take” workshops and job embedded activities

• Extend the collaborative opportunities for team building and networking within and outside of our school Second Year

Increase family involvement in student learning

• Develop extensions of school activities to the home environment

• Encourage family participation through special events

Second Year

Third Year Objectives

Increase student interest and participation in science, math, and

technology

• Integrate NASA materials into existing curriculum

• Extend the use of technology in the classroom to support learning

Third Year

Increase student knowledge about careers in science, math, and

technology

• Engage students in career explorations during regular school time and with families after school

• Utilize experts and resources in the community, as well as on-line/distance learning resources

Third Year

Increase student ability to apply science, math, and technology

concepts

• Provide opportunities for inquiry learning

• Increase the access to collaborative tools (i.e. robotics and aeronautics) and outside expert resources

Third Year

Increase the active participation and professional growth of educators in

science, math, and technology• Provide teachers and

staff with opportunities to attend in-services and/or conferences for implementing the plan, including “make and take” workshops and job embedded activities

• Extend the collaborative opportunities for team building and networking within and outside of our school Third Year

Increase family involvement in student learning

• Develop extensions of school activities to the home environment

• Encourage family participation through special events

Third Year

As only NASA can!