HR: 11:05h
AN: ED41E-04    [PDF]
TI: Scientists and Educators in Sync: Exploring the Strengths of Each through a Collaborative Educational "Umbrella" on Space Weather
AU: * CoBabe-Ammann, E A
EM: ecobabe@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AU: Singer, H J
EM: howard.singer@noaa.gov
AF: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Space Environment Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 United States
AB: Scientists and educators have much to offer formal and informal science education forums (and each other) when brought together in balanced collaboration. New educational opportunities from NASA and NSF have made it easier to develop these collaborations, effectively allowing for the establishment of educational "umbrellas" whereby several separately funded programs focused on a single theme are overseen by a single working group. Here, we explore one such collaboration on space weather developed by CU's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, in collaboration with NOAA's Space Environment Center, the Fiske Planetarium, the Space Science Institute and teachers from local school districts. The goal of the collaboration is to develop a new planetarium show, associated curricula and teacher workshops and guidebooks, as well as distance learning programming through the NASA Center for Distance Learning. One hallmark of this collaboration is the recognition that both scientists and educators bring important research-based perspectives to the table - Scientists are primarily responsible for the scientific integrity of the programming; Educators offer effective (tested) educational models for implementing student and teacher experiences. Both bring creativity, ingenuity and innovation to this dynamic environment. Sustainability is enhanced by integrating components and activities into a cogent whole, and efforts are perceived as even more worthwhile since most aspects of this program will be available for national distribution over the next several years.
DE: 6605 Education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting