Spark an Interest in STEM

With Help From NASA

Presented by Reba Gordon Matthews

About Me

• iPad Lab Educational Consultant

• Former NASA Explorer School Team Leader & Teacher

(6 years of a fabulous experience)

• Regional Consultant with Scholastic, Inc.

• Exec. Dir. & Co-Founder of The Jamal Gordon-Hill Foundation

My Contact Info

Twitter: @jghfoundation08

Email: rebamatthews@cox.net

Blog: My MSAP Blog My NASA Projects Used for National NASA Explorer School Symposiums

Link: http://msaplab.blogspot.com/

My Goal Today

Give a Introduction to NASA Explorer School Program

Briefly Explain:

Benefits for Students and Teachers

Resources (Materials & Personnel)

Special:

Student and Teacher Recognition Trips

Sharing My Experience

Lessons,

Student Projects

Special Recognition Trips

Focus: Grade 4 - 12 Option: Entire School Project

What is NASA Explorer Schools?

NASA’s Education Program

investment in education programs:

By supporting educators:

• Preparing, Exciting, Engaging

young minds of today

• Preparing them for the workforce

of tomorrow.

Watch this Video Later:

What is NASA Explorer Schools?

Video: What is NASA Explorer Schools?

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/nes2/about/nes-promotions.html

Sign up at the Virtual Campus website.

All Educators –Working with grades 4-12

• United States

• U.S. Territory

• Dept. of Defense Schools

• Dept. of State Schools

• Public or Private

How & Who Can Join?

Requirements to Join?

• Classroom teacher

• Administrator

• Pre-service teacher

• Homeschool educator

• Classroom support staff

• Higher education staff

• Other

(resource, lab teachers, etc.)

Eager Educators & Lifelong Learners

No background / experience in the STEM subjects needed

Lessons range - Easy – Detailed

Most of the materials are household materials

Support via NASA Educators…….

is just a phone call and email away

Register - NASA Explorer School Virtual Campus explorerschools.nasa.gov

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Where Do I Start?

Strategies for Success

http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/web/nes/view-feature/?contentid=36828

Search for Lessons

Browse the Lessons

Found My Lesson!

Found My Lesson!

Teacher & Student Videos

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Your Completed Surveys Count Toward…

Acceptance for Special Opportunities

Measures Your Involvement

• Teacher

• School

• Student

Adding Your STEM Activities (Step 1)

Adding Your STEM Activities (Step 2)

How did you use any NASA Explorer School materials with

this activity. Ex: Family Science Night or any lesson.

Surveys & Your Activities Portfolio

Adding Your STEM Activities

The Special Opportunities

Student – Annual Student Symposiums Teacher – Zero Gravity Plane Ride

Conducting Classroom Experience while in Flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV0vjz8nYUY

My Team @ NES Symposiums

Our Team Members Our Team Members

Our Science Design Teams Grades 4 -5

12 Week Group Lab Project & Challenge

Year 2 Team

Year 1 Team

Year 3 Team

12 Week Group Lab Project & Challenge

Year 1 Team’s Design

Hydroponic System

Year 2 Team’s Design

Lunar Habitat

Year 3 Team’s Design

Lunar Plant Chamber

Presenting @Virtual Symposium

Going to NASA!

NES Lesson for (K-12)

Astronaut Dr. Michael Barrett at our School’s Science Night

NASA Johnson Space Center Buoyance Center

Photo Credit: http://www.smdc.army.mil/smdcphoto_gallery/eagle/Archived/Apr06/Eagle_Apr.html

Photo Credit: R. Matthews

Each child received: An academic medal & NASA Shirts

Teacher Workshop @symposium

More Workshops & Amazements

R & R Time with Friends

Fun NASA 3-D Movies & “Say Cheese”

Symposium Days Packed with Learning and Fun

Leaving to go Home

NASA Explorer Schools’ Mission

Producing

tomorrow’s

• Scientists

• Engineers

• Astronauts

Questions

Feel free to email me at rgordon955@gmail.com