As part of a series of electronic professional development experiences for educators, the NASA Explorer Schools project and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting two 90-minute live professional development Web seminars for educators this week. Engineering Design Challenge: Water Filtration Web Seminar On May 15, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, background information about water recycling on the International Space Station will be provided. Then, see how you can incorporate the information into an exciting hands-on, inquiry-based challenge requiring students to solve a problem. You will watch a video showing students engaged in the challenge and discuss possible modifications to the challenge to adapt it for different students and classroom situations. For more information and to register online, visit the NSTA Learning Center. Engineering Design Challenge: Thermal Protection System Web Seminar On May 16, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, you can learn about the science of heat transfer and heat dissipation related to NASA vehicles, and receive an introduction to the associated engineering design challenge, Thermal Protection System. In this activity, students are challenged to design a thermal protection system and test it using a propane torch. For more information and to register online, visit the NSTA Learning Center. This is the last time these seminars will be offered during the current school year.
As part of a series of electronic professional development experiences for educators, the NASA Explorer Schools project and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting two 90-minute live professional development Web seminars for educators this week. Pythagorean Theorem: Exploring Space Through Math -- Lunar Rover On May 8, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, learn to use the distance formula and the Pythagorean theorem to determine the minimal path and minimal time for a lunar rover to perform tasks on the surface of the moon. You should have a basic knowledge of scale factor and application of the Pythagorean theorem. Having access to a calculator is helpful but not necessary for session. For more information and to register online, visit the NSTA Learning Center. Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber On May 9, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT, learn how to incorporate exciting space exploration problems into your technology or life science classes. See how you can use the engineering design process to have students design, build and evaluate the effectiveness of a lunar plant growth chambers while engaging them in research and standards-based learning experiences. For more information and to register online, visit the NSTA Learning Center. This is the last time these seminars will be offered during the current school year.