Immersive STEM Experience for

High School Science Teachers

Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors

The SETI Institute is seeking school district partners for participation in the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD)’s Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (AAA) program that provides high school science teachers with content training, STEM immersion experiences including a flight on SOFIA (the world’s largest flying observatory), and 3-D classroom lessons.

Steps for District Administrators and/or Science Leaders to initiate the AAA partnership process are outlined on the last page of this notice.

NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program Managed by the SETI Institute through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA Science Mission Directorate (Science Activation Collective)

The Program:

NASA SMD Astronomy Airborne Ambassadors (AAAs)

The SETI Institute is responsible to NASA for conducting the AAA education program that exploits the unique inspirational attributes of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to improve science teaching and enhance student standards-based classroom outcomes. The Institute will continue to work in partnership with school districts, high schools, and teachers during the 2019 SOFIA research cycle.

The extended experience for teachers includes a blended model of professional development: online training, an in-person workshop on the 3-D curricular component, and a one-week STEM immersion experience in California that includes an overnight flight aboard SOFIA.

Eligibility and Expectations:

Eligible teachers must: • Be teaching in a district with an established AAA partnership (Memo of Understanding), or willing to commit to such a partnership. • Be entering at least their 3rd year of teaching. • Have at least 1 year of experience teaching high school Physical Science, Earth & Space Science, Astronomy, or Integrated Science. • Have passion for bringing real-world phenomena into the classroom. • Complete a short application online during the application window. (Application opportunity for 2019 flights will open during fall 2018.) • Have eligibility vetted and approved for participation by sponsoring district and school, post-application.

Expected teacher participation / contributions / commitments: • Successful completion of Professional Development in connection with AAA participation: Approximately 25 hours of self-paced online training, 2 hours per month of teleconferences & webinars, and 8 in- person hours (full-day workshop).

NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program Managed by the SETI Institute through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA Science Mission Directorate (Science Activation Collective)

• Teacher participants will travel to SOFIA’s base in Palmdale, Calif. for the flight week. Please note, this means leaving the classroom for that week. During flight week, the teachers will: o Fly on one or more overnight observing missions aboard SOFIA; o Participate in pre- and post-flight trainings and meetings associated with the flight(s) and corresponding scientific research programs. • Implement a nominal 2-week NGSS-aligned SOFIA-based classroom curriculum component using materials provided by the program. • Participate actively in formative evaluation of the AAA program.

SOFIA AAA program commitments to educators & teacher benefits:

• Travel expenses, housing, and meal costs for required pre-flight meetings, flight week, and required post-flight meetings paid by the AAA program. • Flight facilitators/escorts present during flight week at the NASA B703 airborne science facility in Palmdale, Calif. • STEM immersion week including at least 1 overnight flight, NASA facility tours, and meetings with NASA Subject Matter Experts (SMEs; scientists, engineers, and other professionals). • Post-flight access to NASA SMEs for student questions, real world science guidance, and/or classroom presentations (virtual or in person). • Certifying letter specifying total professional development hours of AAA participation. • Materials and supplies needed to implement lessons, delivered to the school site by the AAA program. • Optional inclusion in a national public engagement and education group for ongoing communication opportunities and support.

NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program Managed by the SETI Institute through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA Science Mission Directorate (Science Activation Collective)

The Platform:

SOFIA (the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy)

SOFIA is the largest airborne observatory in the world, capable of making observations impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. SOFIA is an extensively modified Boeing 747 carrying a 2.5-meter (100-inch) reflecting telescope. The plane includes a console dedicated for use by AAA teachers.

For more information regarding the AAA program: • www.seti.org/AAA

For more information regarding NASA SOFIA science and operations: • www.sofia.usra.edu (Social Media: @SOFIAtelescope)

For more information regarding the SETI Institute: • www.seti.org (Social Media: @SETIInstitute)

03/26/18: District Administrators and/or Science Leaders wishing to initiate the AAA partnership process should contact us directly ASAP …

Dr. Dana Backman 650-604-2128 [email protected] Coral Clark [email protected]

… AND register via the online form linked here:

https://goo.gl/forms/OZErhAqbg6cnpeAE3

NOTE: District partnerships for AAA flights in 2019 must be in place by July 2018.

NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program Managed by the SETI Institute through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA Science Mission Directorate (Science Activation Collective)