Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium Newsletter for Teachers

[Irene Svete]

The Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium's electronic newsletter for
teachers provides curriculum ideas, Internet links and other resources to
help you better meet the Washington EALRs and the National Science Education
Standards.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

-- THE VIRTUAL ASTRONAUT (5-8)
-- SUMMER FLIGHT WORKSHOP (6-12)
-- WHAT'S IN A NAME? A CHANCE TO WIN
-- ASTROBIOLOGY SITE OFFERS BASIC CHEM MODULE (5-8)
-- 2003-4 NSIP POSTER AVAILABLE IN SPANISH (K-12)
-- NASA EXPLORES WORKING IN SPACE (K-12)
-- A WORKSHOP ON SOLVING DISEASE MYSTERIES (6-9)

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THE VIRTUAL ASTRONAUT (5-8)

The Virtual Astronaut Project is an interactive site that integrates life
science research data and NASA educational products into a suite of
instructional materials in physical sciences, space sciences, space
medicine, biomedical research and living in space.  These activities are
combined into a single educational tool that provides fun and informative
educational activities. One caution, the 3-D components of the site do not
support MacIntosh users. To participate, go to

http://virtualastronaut.jsc.nasa.gov

SUMMER FLIGHT WORKSHOP (6-12)

The Science of Flight workshop introduces teachers to the physics of flight
and instructional strategies to bring these principals into the classroom.
The workshop is sponsored by Seattle Pacific University. Session I takes
place July 28-31 at Harvey Field in Snohomish; Session II take place Aug.4-7
at Paine Field in Everett.

The workshop includes two hours of flight instruction, classroom time and
field trips to aviation-related sights such as The Boeing Co.'s plant in
Everett; the Federal Aviation Administration control center in Auburn; The
Museum of Flight and Airlift Northwest in Seattle. The cost, including three
graduate credits, aircraft rental, instructors and admission fees, is $250.

To register or for more information, contact Gary Evans, adjunct SPU
faculty, at 

AB7RK at aol.com

WHAT'S IN A NAME? A CHANCE TO WIN

Name the Astrobots on board the Mars Exploration Rover spacecraft and win a
LEGO® Discovery Saturn V Moon Mission set.  The Mars Exploration Rovers
launch for Mars in May and June. Onboard each rides a new breed of explorer
and  adventurer -- the currently nameless Astrobots, representations of LEGO
mini-figures suited up for space.

The Astrobots will become mini-robot explorers who will send diaries of
their adventures back to Earth. These regularly posted Web diaries will
teach kids about Mars and the mission as the Astrobots explore the
spacecraft and the surface of Mars. The contest is open to all age groups.
Entry deadline is April 23. To enter, visit

https://planetary.org/astrobot/name.php

ASTROBIOLOGY SITE OFFERS BASIC CHEM MODULE (5-8)

Astro-Venture -- an educational, interactive, multimedia Web environment
highlighting NASA careers and astrobiology research -- offers a new
Atmospheric Science training module and classroom lessons.

Using the online program, students change the amounts of gases in our
atmosphere and draw conclusions about which factors are necessary for human
survival.  They then engage in classroom activities that help them
understand atoms, elements, and molecules as gas components.  They further
explore the process of chemical change, with a focus on some of the chemical
reactions most important to human survival. For more information, go to

http://astroventure.arc.nasa.gov

2003-4 NSIP POSTER AVAILABLE IN SPANISH (K-12)

A Spanish version of the 2003-04 NASA Student Involvement Program (NSIP)
poster -- "Programa de Participacion Estudiantil de la NASA" -- is now
available on NASA Spacelink.  The poster contains printable pages with
descriptions, learning objectives and procedures for next year's student
investigations and design challenges. The six competitions are designed for
individual, team or whole class entries.  A link to an English language
version is also posted at

http://spacelink.nasa.gov/products/Programa.de.Participacion.Estudiantil.de..
la.NASA

NASA EXPLORES WORKING IN SPACE (K-12)

This week NASAexplores features the articles on techniques NASA uses to stop
space vehicles once they reach their destination and  "robot arms" for
construction work in space. To access the articles and lesson plans, go to

http://www.nasaexplores.com
    
A WORKSHOP ON SOLVING DISEASE MYSTERIES (6-9)

A free workshop on environmental health science May 17 utilizes a curriculum
called ToxRAP (Toxicology, Risk Assessment, and Pollution) to let teachers
and their students become health hazard detectives. In this lesson, students
assume the role of environmental health scientists to help the Sanchez
family members discover what is causing the variety of health problems that
began after their home renovation.  Students conduct interviews, collect
environmental samples, interpret data and learn about exposure and dust

The workshop, jointly offered by University of Washington and Oregon State
University, takes place from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the UW campus. It
includes lunch, curriculum and supplemental classroom materials. The
deadline to register is May 7. Note, due to the loss of money associated
with registrants who have RSVP'ed and then fail to show up, there will be a
COMPLETELY REFUNDABLE $25 registration fee.  This will be returned upon your
arrival at the workshop. For more information, contact Sandra Uesugi at
541-737-4374 or e-mail

sandra.uesugi at orst.edu

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FEEDBACK

Ideas, comments and Web sites of interest to other teachers should be sent
to Irene Svete, newsletter editor, at

isvete at ess.washington.edu

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