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 The Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium sponsors a wide variety of professional development opportunities, special events and
programs for educators, which are located in the "Conferences and Workshops" section and the "Special Events, Projects and Opportunities" section below. Although the items listed in the "Additional Opportunities" section are not specifically sponsored by our organization, we highly recommend each and every one!
Conferences & Workshops
Special Events, Projects and Opportunities
Additional Opportunities
Penn State Workshops for Science Educators
For: 6-12 grade educators
Website: http://www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/Science4Educators/
Astrobiology: The Origin and Early Evolution of Life
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June 20-25, 2004 |
The Mechanics Of Materials Series: Advanced Materials
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June 28-July 2, 2004 |
Hands-on Biotechnology: DNA Fingerprinting adn Genetic Engineering
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July 5-9, 2004 |
| Stars and Planets |
June 27-July 2, 2004 |
| Weather Camp for Science Educators: Bringing Weather to the Classroom |
July 11-16, 2004 |
Galaxies and Cosmology
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July 11-16, 2004 |
 Beyond Tomorrow: The Science of Weather Prediction
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July 18-23, 2004 |
 The annual Penn State Workshops for Science Educators cover some of the most exciting
fields of science. The workshops are intense, highly interactive and content rich.
You will be immersed in
discussions with senior Penn State faculty members, leading researchers and educators,
visits to laboratories, field trips, and a wide range of classroom strategies and multimedia resources
to enhance student learning.
Workshop material is expected to be introduced into your classes the following year. All
educators will receive 2 graduate credits. Pennsylvania educators will receive Act 48 contact hours.
For more information about the workshops, application, financial aid, and location, contact the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium at 814-863-7688
to request a brochure or visit http://www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/Science4Educators/.
Science, Technology & Society by Green Design Educator Seminars
Educators attend three networking/seminar days to share their experiences related to implementing the STS by Green Design teaching strategy into their curriculum.
Using the Green Design approach, teachers have engaged their students in a life cycle
analysis of products and strategies that can lead students to a better
understanding of the manufacturing and growing of products in
environmentally sound ways.
The STS by Green Design seminars are co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. Contact Charylene Philp for more information:
Dr. Charylene Philp
Clarion University
112 Carrier Bldg
Clarion, PA 16214
Email: MATHSCI@MAIL.CLARION.EDU
Tel: (814) 226-3210
Fax: (814) 226-2039
Are you looking for a Guest Speaker?
For: K-12 grade educators
The Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium awards fellowships to high
achieving Penn State graduate students every year. Part of their duties
as a Fellow include mentoring others on areas related to their research.
Several of our Fellows have expressed an interest in mentoring school-age
students. A list of our current Fellows is located at
http://www.psu.edu/spacegrant/highered/currentfellow.html.
If you are interested in inviting a Fellow into your classroom, please send an email to spacegrant@psu.edu with
your name, school, school address, grade, topics you would be interested in, phone, email and your deadline for response. Once we receive your feedback, we will try to pair you with a Space Grant Fellow.
The Fellow will then contact you to make further arrangements. Due to
time constraints, all requests may not be met.
Astrobiology: The Search for Life in the Universe Educator Supplement for 5-10 grade
For: K-12 Educators; Middle and High School Students
Website: http://www.psu.edu/spacegrant/astrobiology/
In January 2001, the Research Penn State magazine included an
extended article on Astrobiology that was based on the previous year's
lectures presented during the Frontiers of Science Lecture series
on Astrobiology. The article, written at a High School level, is now
available as a separate magazine supplement and is appropriate for educators, students, researchers,
and the community at large.
Educators can order classroom sets. For more information, visit the website or contact Angela Phelps at angelaphelps@psu.edu or 814-863-3608.
Astrobiology classroom resources at the NASA Astrobiology Institute
For: K-12 educators
Website: http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/teachers/
The Penn State Astrobiology Research Center (PSARC) is a member of the
NASA Astrobiology Institute. Astrobiology is devoted to the scientific
study of life in the universe-its origin, evolution, distribution, and future. This multidisciplinary field
brings together the physical and biological sciences to address some of the most fundamental questions of the
natural world: How do living systems emerge? How do habitable worlds form and how do they evolve? Does life
exist on worlds other than Earth? How could terrestrial life potentially survive and adapt beyond our home planet?
Astrobiology is the perfect context to tie together several units within your curriculum or introduce new and exciting
research. Visit the NAI website to find out about resources and workshops or contact Angela Phelps for more information.
Angela Phelps
angelaphelps@psu.edu
814-863-3608
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (ongoing)
For: K-12 Grade
Website: http://chesapeake.towson.edu/
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative primarily focuses on expanding the
resources and opportunities available through the Chesapeake Bay from Space project,
a regional Space Grant project organized by the Maryland Space Grant Consortium and funded by NASA and Raytheon.
The Chesapeake Bay from Space project engages teachers and students in a real research project by enabling
them to take "ground truth" data to verify an impervious surface map of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Visit the website or
contact Angela Phelps at angelaphelps@psu.edu or 814-863-3608 for more information.
Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association Convention: Workshops and Exhibit
 Every year, the Pennsylvania Space
Grant Consortium and members of the Pennsylvania-NASA Education Collaborative present workshops along with an exhibit
at the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) convention. The goals of the workshops are to
engage educators in the latest NASA educational opportunities, research and resources, and to improve student learning
by providing ideas for modifying and enhancing science curriculum. Topics for NASA workshops at the 2003 convention
include the Centennial of Flight, Astrobiology, Mars Exploration, the Sun-Earth Connection and the Spirit of Exploration
with Lewis and Clark. Our exhibit provides information on NASA educational resources that serve PA educators and students.
We hope to see you there!
Space Day at Penn State (annual)
For: All Ages
Date: Annually in April
Fee: Free
Website: http://www.psu.edu/spacegrant/spaceday/
Space Day at Penn State is a celebration of space science and exploration. Join us as we explore Earth, air and
space research and education through poster displays, hands-on activities and presentations. Educators and
students can sign up for giveaways. The annual event is sponsored by the
Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium and is a supplement to the national Space Day celebration.
For more information on Space Day at Penn State, visit http://www.psu.edu/spacegrant/spaceday/.
Faculty Academy on Technology at Penn State
For: K-12 educators, higher education faculty, administrators
Date: Annually during the summer
Website: http://solutions.ist.psu.edu/learning/facacad/
Penn State's School of Information Sciences and Technology hosts an annual Faculty Academy. The academy
brings together higher ed faculty, K-12 educators, and administrators to strategize ways of incorporating technology into the education forum so that the next generation
will be better prepared for the future.
International Space Station Educators Conference
For: K-12 Grade Educators
Date: Annually in February
Website: http://www.spacecenter.org/iss.html
 Space Center Houston hosts the Annual International Space Station Educators Conference in February every year.
All K-12 educators are invited for two "intense days of complete submersion into the
world of the International Space Station. Attend sessions hosted by the actual scientists,
engineers, and astronauts that are working to make the Space Station a reality." The 2004 conference will be held
on February 6-7. Visit the website for more information.
NASA Earth Crew
For: K-12 Grade Educators
Website: http://edspace.nasa.gov/
You can become part of the NASA team and the NASA Educator Astronaut
Program by joining the Earth Crew. Each Earth Crew is comprised of
students, teachers and other adults dedicated to supporting the Educator
Astronauts as they prepare for and explore space. In addition, Earth Crew
members will participate in ground-based projects and missions. Visit the
web site to find out how you can become involved!
NASA Education Website
For: Educators, Students and Parents
http://education.nasa.gov
You can find information on the latest NASA opportunities for you and your students, the latest NASA news and
more at the NASA Education website, NASA's premier portal for educators, students and parents.
NASA Educator Astronaut Program
For: K-12 Grade Educators
Website: http://edspace.nasa.gov/
The NASA Educator Astronaut Program is one of NASA's newest education
initiatives. Three to six educators will join the NASA team in
2004. The educators will become part of the astronaut crew and will help
conduct Shuttle missions.
NASA Explorer Schools
For: K-12 Grade Educators
Website: http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/
Become a NASA Explorer School and your school or school district will enter
into a unique three-year partnership with NASA to bring exciting
opportunities to educators, students, and families through:
- Sustained professional development,
- Exciting student learning opportunities,
- Integration of technology, and
- Involvement of families.
Fifty schools were chosen to participate in 2003. Application information for the 2004
selections will be available in September.
NASA LiftOff Summer Institute
 For: 6-12 Grade Educators
Date: Annually in the summer
Website: http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/liftoff/
Beginning in the summer of 1990, the Texas Space Grant Consortium initiated a summer series of educational/training workshops for teachers. These aerospace workshops, called LiftOff Summer Institute, emphasize science, mathematics, and engineering learning experiences by incorporating a different NASA mission area as the central theme each year. Teacher participants are provided with knowledge, materials, and experience through hands-on, minds-on activities and field trips that promote aerospace enrichment activities to others.
NASA's Mission to Mars Educators Resources
For: K-12 Educators and Students
Check out the following websites to help you follow NASA's missions to Mars...
National Space Day Celebration (annual)
For: K-12 students and general public (Space Day Design Challenges are for 4th-8th grade)
Date: first Thursday in May
Website: http://www.spaceday.org
"Since its launch in 1997, the Space Day educational initiative, which takes place on the first
Thursday of each May, has evolved into a massive grassroots effort dedicated to the extraordinary
achievements, benefits and opportunities in the exploration and use of space. The ultimate goal is
to promote math, science, technology and engineering education by nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm
for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work of today's space explorers."
Penn State Continuing Education and Professional Development for Educators
For: PreK-12 + educators
Website: http://www.ed.psu.ed/ContinuingEd
Find out about courses, workshops, and conferences at Penn State. You can search by program, subject, location or keyword.
PENSyL: NASA Resources in Pennsylvania
 Teachers have direct access to NASA educational materials through the Educator Access Centers in Pennsylvania. In partnership with the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse and the Mid-Atlantic Consortium, the Office of Education Programs at
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is sponsoring PENSyL, the Pennsylvania Eisenhower/NASA Systemic
Liaison.
In addition to print, online, and multimedia resources from NASA, PENSyL also makes available NASA
earth and space science teacher workshops that are tailored to existing curricula and state frameworks, and
aligned with the national standards. Inquiries about NASA materials or workshops should be directed to the
Access Center coordinator. Visit http://www2.rbs.org/ec.nsf/pages/encpa2 for more information.
Science Training Programs
Science Service, a non-profit organization in Washington D.C., has an online listing of national educator training programs and student workshops. Visit
http://www.sciserv.org/stp/ to begin your search.
You can search by grade level, state and more.
Solar System Ambassador Program
For: Educators, space enthusiasts, anyone interested in NASA research
Website: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/
 If you are a space enthusiast who is active in your community then you may want to become a Solar System Ambassador.
The Solar System Ambassador Program is a public
outreach program designed to work with motivated
volunteers across the nation. Volunteers are asked to
organize and conduct public events that
communicate exciting discoveries and plans for
exploration in Solar System research and technology
through non-traditional forums.
Solar System Educators Program
For: K-12 Educators and Informal Educators
Website: http://www.ssep.org/
Do you get excited about the latest NASA missions? Are you a formal or informal educator? Are you able to conduct teacher workshops? If yes, then you may be interested
in becoming a Solar System Educator. The goal of the Solar System Educators Program (SSEP) is to inspire
America's students, create learning opportunities, and enlighten inquisitive
minds by engaging them in the Solar System exploration efforts conducted by
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). All Solar System Educators agree to complete a minimum of 3 outreach workshops reaching at least 100
teachers each year. The next solicitation for educators will be in the Spring. Visit http://www.ssep.org/
for more information.
STREAMS Environmental Education Curriculum
STREAMS is "an interdisciplinary environmental education and water
study program incorporating national science and math standards, authentic
assessment, field studies, technology and student/community activism."
The STREAMS website provides all the curriculum information you need to incorporate
STREAMS environmental lessons into your classroom.
Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Education
For: K-12 Educators
Website: http://www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry/
The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants program is the largest K-12 science teacher grant program in the nation. They annually award 50 grants up to $10,000 each and will begin to award mini-grants of $2500 for smaller
projects. Interested teachers should propose innovative science projects that can be
implemented in their school or school district over a one-year
period. Toyota TAPESTRY projects demonstrate creativity,
involve risk-taking, possess a visionary quality, and model a
novel way of presenting science. Visit the website for more information.
Go Back
Go to The Pennsylvania State University
Questions about the website?
Contact spacegrant@psu.edu
Last Updated: May 30. 2006
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