NASA - NASA Langley Begins Summer of Innovation Program
4/14/13 2:04 AM
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NASA Langley Begins Summer of Innovation Program
06.21.11
By: Cheylin Parker, LARRS intern After its pilot year in 2010, NASA's Summer of Innovation (SoI) is back with more partners and new ways to educate students and teachers. The SoI program is a key part of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate." Through the national initiative, NASA Langley works with middle school teachers and students to engage youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education (STEM). "The focus of the program is reaching underserved students," says Bonnie Murray, a NASA educator. This summer, Murray is working with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring organization through the Virginia Air and Space Center, and Girls Inc. Marilé Colón Robles, also a NASA educator, works with children whose parents are migratory farmers in North Carolina and on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. NASA Langley's SoI program is working with several contacts this summer including churches, summer camps, Virginia school systems, leadership academies and parks and recreation programs. The program not only engages students, but informal educators as well. Dynae Fullwood, an aerospace education specialist, provides training and professional development for summer camp leaders. "The job is to go in and provide the activity leadership for the students," says Fullwood. "I provide the training for the leaders." LARSS interns, Tiffany Hunter and Chayron Purnell, also receive professional development to teach NASA and STEM content. "I get hands-on experience," says Hunter. "The trainers show how to reach all different types of students."
Click to enlarge Arter astronaut Jose Hernandez met with children in North Carolina, one child remarked "this is the best day of my life." Credit: NASA
Although the SoI mission is the same for this summer as it was last, the educators are spending more time with the students. Throughout the summer, the educators plan to spend at least 20 hours with each group of students. "We're really getting a chance to interact with the students," Murray explains. The SoI program is also implementing new activities and lessons. The program is providing a series of themes, including life and physical science, earth and space science and engineering. This summer, the content is focused on a mission to Mars. Students will learn how to get to Mars, survive on the planet, and protect themselves as astronauts. "Everything is hands-on and engaging," explains Murray. "They’re learning through doing."
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/researchernews/rn_summerinnovII.html
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