Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

Many teachers have acted upon the inclusion of space topics in NGSS to embed space experiments into their courses. Consequently, various space entities provide low or no cost launch services and activities for K-12 classrooms. There has never been a holistic investigation of: a) Which programs teachers use b) How they use them c) How teachers’ perceive impacts on science learning and d) Impacts on teachers’ practice. Further, these teacher-led initiatives have not made significant roads into education literature. This qualitative study coded a survey instrument to ground student space experiments in science education literature by connecting the agentic opportunities of learning with and through space topics.

Biography:

Christine brings nearly two decades of experience teaching STEM and astronomy in both secondary and college. She is interested in using Earth and Space topics as a transdisciplinary gateway to STEM and conduit of agency, particularly in early learning. In, 2021-2022 she served in Congress as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow to advance federal STEM education initiatives. Her enthusiasm for all things space fostered the Excellence in Astronomy Teaching award and participation on NASA’s SOFIA mission. She has developed regional, State, and National materials such as a high-altitude balloon experiment program, the first student space symposium and an international space camp. Christine identifies and addresses national needs in