This summer, I attended the Space Academy for Educators at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. I am a K–5 reading specialist, and I also am the Science Power Hour instructor in our afterschool program. Obviously, we will be learning lots and lots about space this year! What concepts should I expect my elementary students to master? I want them to be excited about space and its exploration.
—Ann, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Congratulations! Attending the academy must have been the experience of a lifetime—meeting space scientists, participating in simulations and hands-on activities, working with teachers from around the country, and acquiring new content knowledge and materials to share with your students. You are certainly a valuable resource for your students and your school.
I’m not sure what you mean by “mastering” concepts. If you look at your district’s curriculum and your state’s elementary science standards, you should find concepts and skills related to space science appropriate for younger students. But I think your real contribution goes beyond helping students learn specific content.
In your role as an elementary reading specialist, you can use your influence to get more nonfiction materials into students’ hands and minds. You can suggest space-related books (on topics such as astronomy, space exploration, rockets, or astronauts) for teacher read-alouds and student independent reading. You can also incorporate nonfiction books related to space science into your reading instruction. Check out NSTA Recommends for titles and reviews of space-related books at various reading levels.
In addition to books, there are many online resources. With NSTA’s SciLinks, use keywords such as space exploration, space shuttle, planets, astronomy, atmosphere, or flight to examine lists of vetted websites appropriate for K–4 or 5–8 students. You can create a list of favorites to share with students, parents, other teachers, or the librarian. You’re probably already familiar with NASA for Students as a starting place for many activities. I would also suggest Windows to the Universe, which includes a Spanish version.
Your afterschool program could be the place to extend and enhance what the students do in their science classes. Using space exploration as a theme for part of the year, you can implement the activities you learned at the Space Academy and go deeper into topics like astronomy (the moon, planets, stars), rocketry, astronauts, and even topics related to engineering such as problem solving and robotics. You could set up a teleconference (using Skype, for example) with a NASA scientist or another academy participant and his or her class.
Many elementary schools have “family nights” to involve parents and students. You could use space exploration as a theme here, too. It’s quite possible that many of your students (and their parents) have never looked at the night sky through a telescope. I’m sure there are amateur astronomers in your community who would be happy to assist you setting up an event.
Consider doing a presentation at the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers conference in March 2011. (The call for presenters is open until December 2010 . Or perhaps you could do some professional development workshops for teachers on space concepts with hands-on activities.
Books, websites, and videos are wonderful, but it’s more exciting to meet someone who has had personal experiences. Share your stories, pictures, journals and other artifacts whenever possible. You can be a wonderful role model for your students (and other teachers) in terms of being a lifelong learner and being open to new adventures. They may even ask for your autograph and a picture, especially if you’re wearing your flight suit!
For more information:
- Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy
- A Space Academy participant’s blog of her experiences
Related posts:
4 Comments
Space Camp is absolutely terrific. Many years ago I had a summer internship with Senator Heflin’s office in DC and the international kids from Space Camp came to DC and what a great experience it was to spend time with them. Having the summer “off” is a great thing about teaching. As with anything, it is all about what you do with it
. Thanks for the post
I attended Space Camp many years ago. I wish more students had the opportunity to attend. I appreciate teachers that are willing to take their time and attend Space Academy for Educators. Especially those that take it back to their schools.
Generally speaking, I think the public would be amazed at the number of teachers and principals that use the summer months to grow and develop professionally.
It’s a misconception that the summer months are merely an extended vacation for educators. Having worked in Virginia and Texas, I know of many that partnered with NASA during the summer to grow professionally.
I would not be surprised if some teachers do educate them selves in the US. I don’t think the number is as high here where I live (Norway). And I think the reason is simple: The school system here is run by the government from the start at six years, to the time you are done with you education as medical doctor. It doesn’t mean that the teachers are better or worse here, but there have been a long debate here on how to raise the standard in the elementary school (we compare us with other European countries).
Cheers from Norway
Tom