Spaceward Bound Pilot Program
2006 For Teachers
An opportunity to plan and implement high fidelity
Moon/Mars analog exploration research
- Have a passion for exploration, science and scientific research?
- Find planetary science fascinating - particularly the utilization
of places here on earth to investigate what it might be like on other
planets?
- Like the outdoors and exploring new, remote places?
- Like working with teacher peers, scientists, and informal educators?
- Like discovering and developing new and novel ways to bring authentic
science and scientific research into your classroom?
Then we invite you …
To apply to join a science expedition
to explore and study the Atacama Desert in Chile
with the
Spaceward Bound Pilot Program 2006
June 20 – July 1, 2006
Spaceward Bound is a program that …
- Immerses teachers in authentic NASA exploration research by challenging
them to plan and implement a field research expedition
- Develops cohorts of teachers located throughout the country who
have significant experience in NASA field research
- Supports teachers to “go forth and multiply” by facilitating
the training of peers by program graduates and dissemination of NASA
science throughout the Explorer School system and beyond
- Recruits teachers from NASA Explorer Schools to
- Identify highly qualified program participants with established
interest, motivation and pre-requisite experience with NASA science
and education
- Infuse Spaceward Bound teacher learning and experience throughout
the nationwide Explorer School network and beyond
- Connects with other NASA projects to establish a matrix of programs
covering multiple applications of field research in NASA exploration
and science, e.g.:
- Spaceward Bound - Moon/Mars analogs
- SON Winter Story - hydrothermal science and astrobiology
- Phoenix MARSFEST - mission centered exploration
The Spaceward Bound Teacher Cohort 2006 will …
- In conjunction with NASA scientists and educators, plan and conduct
a field research expedition to the Atacama Desert in Chile.
- Work with NASA scientists to perform ground-breaking scientific
research in the field
- Learn and apply current planetary exploration an science concepts,
theories and ideas
- Utilize experience, knowledge, and creativity to determine how
to develop pedagogical content knowledge and methods for bringing
field research into the classroom in an authentic, relevant and educative
manner
- Actively support and provide training on PCK and methods to peer
teachers within the NASA Explorer School program and beyond
- Mentor subsequent cohorts of Spaceward Bound teachers
- Utilize their learning and experience to support the evolution
of the Spaceward Bound Program
Post-Expedition Requirements
- Journals of field expedition experiences to be posted on Spaceward
Bound website
- Plan for leveraging of field expedition experiences into classrooms
- Plan for outreach to all NASA Explorer Schools via DLN network
- Written reflection on personal learning, program strengths and
weaknesses, and recommendations for inclusion in final Spaceward
Bound Pilot Program 2006 report
Spaceward Bound Events
- Applications due midnight February 22, 2006
- Selections announced March 8, 2006 (6 teachers and 3 alternates
will be selected)
- Five 1 1/2 hour pre-trip session during March, April, May, and
June (dates TBD) via DLN; will cover topics such as:
- Past and current Atacama research
- Moon/Mars analog theory and science
- Field research - design, preparation and conduct
- What to bring, logistics
- Note: all members of the Spaceward Bound 2006 team will communicate
frequently via email/phone during expedition preparations
- Airfare, transportation, room, board paid by NASA
- There will potentially be opportunities for exploration into the
interior of the Antofagasta region as time permits
Spaceward Bound Itinerary
- June 20: fly to Santiago, Chile
- June 20 - 21: drive to Yungay Research Station (south of Antofagasta);
overnight in Copiapo
- June 22 - 28: field work
- June 29: drive to Santiago
- June 30: fly home, arriving in the U.S. port of entry July 1
Take a closer look at the research
site.
Read the article Two
Dry For Life: The Atacama Desert and Mars by Chris McKay
Downloads
Application Instructions
for Teachers
Applicant Information
Form
Sample Letter of Recommendation
and Commitment
Teacher Requirements
Teachers Release and Consent Form
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