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AAA Info for 2021 Immersive STEM Experience for Science Teachers Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors The SETI Institute is seeking school district partners for participation in the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (AAA) program that provides middle school, high school, and community college physical science teachers with professional development content training, immersive STEM experiences at NASA observatory facilities such as SOFIA (the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), and 3-Dimensional classroom lessons & activities. Steps for district administrators and/or science curriculum leads 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 astronomical facilities such as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to improve science teaching and enhance student standards-based classroom outcomes. The Institute will partner with districts to worK with middle school, high school, and community college teachers during 2021. The AAA experience for teachers includes a blended model of professional development: online training, an in-person workshop re. the 3-Dimensional curriculum component (NGSS-aligned; focusing on disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science & engineering practices), and a one-weeK immersive STEM experience at a NASA observatory facility such as 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 Physical Science, Earth & Space Science, Astronomy, Astrobiology, or Integrated Science. • Have passion for bringing real-world phenomena into the classroom. • Complete a short application online during the application window. (Applications for 2021 participation will open on the SETI Institute weB site in fall 2020, date TBD.) • Have their 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. or other NASA observatory facility for the STEM immersion weeK. Please note, this means leaving the classroom for a weeK. During that weeK, the teachers will: o Participate with science researchers in one or more overnight observing sessions at the NASA observatory facility; o Participate in other trainings and meetings associated with the corresponding scientific research programs. • Implement a nominal 2-weeK NGSS-aligned SOFIA-based classroom curriculum component using materials provided by the program. • Assist in ongoing evaluation of the AAA program. SOFIA AAA program commitments to educators & teacher benefits: • All travel expenses, housing, and meal costs for required meetings and the STEM immersion week will be paid by the AAA program. • AAA program facilitators / teacher escorts present during the STEM immersion week. • STEM immersion week at NASA observatory facilities including engagement with NASA subject matter experts (scientists, engineers, and other professionals). • 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. • Inclusion in a national AAA community providing ongoing contact and support from other AAA teachers. NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program Managed by the SETI Institute through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA Science Mission Directorate (Science Activation Collective) The Primary Platform: SOFIA (NASA’s Stratospheric OBservatory for Infrared Astronomy) SOFIA is the largest airborne observatory in the world, an extensively modified Boeing 747 carrying a 2.5-meter (100-inch) reflecting telescope, capable of making observations impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. SOFIA includes a console dedicated for use by AAA teachers. 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) For more information regarding the AAA program: • www.seti.org/AAA 05/20/20: 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 participation in 2021 must Be in place by SeptemBer 1, 2020. NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program Managed by the SETI Institute through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA Science Mission Directorate (Science Activation Collective) .
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