[Sgteachers] Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium Newsletter for Teachers

[Irene Svete]

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

-- SEARCHING FOR EARTHS
-- APPLY FOR NASA INSPIRE (9-12)
-- COFFEE ON THE MOON
-- ASP MEETING STIPENDS (K-12)
-- OCEAN MOTION (9-12)
-- LASER AWARDS JUNE 12 (K-12)

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SEARCHING FOR EARTHS

Science fiction writers often depict the billions of stars in our  
Milky Way galaxy as homes for other Earths; so-called M-class planets  
where life abounds. The science is now catching up to the fiction as  
more than 300 planets have been discovered orbiting other stars in the  
past decade.

On May 20, astronomer Debra Fisher will talk about the types of  
planets that have been found so far and the conditions that are  
important for life as we know it. The free talk takes place at 7 p.m.  
on the UW Seattle campus in Architecture Hall, Room 147.

For more information, go to

http://www.astro.washington.edu/IYA/ticketrace/IYAtalk.php

APPLY FOR NASA INSPIRE (9-12)

NASA's Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating  
Research Experience (INSPIRE) is accepting applications from high  
school students through June 30.

Those selected will participate in an online learning community in  
which students and parents have the opportunity to interact with their  
peers and NASA engineers and scientists. Students will also have the  
option of competing for experiences during the summer of 2010 at NASA  
facilities and participating universities.

For more information, go to

http://www.nasa.gov/education/INSPIRE

COFFEE ON THE MOON

Have you ever wondered how you'd make your morning cup of java if you  
lived on another planet, or perhaps the moon? That steaming beverage  
would be a must on a cold lunar morning.

But with rare sunlight, no coal or wood to burn, and no flowing water  
for hydro-electrical power, making that cup of coffee — much less  
cooking breakfast, heating your abode, or powering the life support  
equipment and tools you needed to live and work up there — is a huge  
challenge. For possible answers, go to

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15may_stirling.htm?list820645

ASP MEETING STIPENDS (K-12)

A limited number of stipends are available for K-12 teachers to attend  
the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's 120th anniversary  
celebration, September 12-16 in San Francisco.

This year's them is "Science Education and Outreach: Forging a Path to  
the Future." Hands-on workshops for formal and informal educators will  
be provided September 12-13. For application information, go to

http://www.astrosociety.org/events/meeting.html

OCEAN MOTION (9-12)

The interplay between ocean and atmosphere is one of the keys to  
understanding Earth’s climate. Ocean Motion contains a comprehensive  
review of the surface circulation of Earth’s ocean and classroom  
investigations appropriate for various disciplines at the high school  
level.

For a toolbox of satellite and model data, quick evaluation quizzes  
and a timeline of ocean explorers to inspire investigation of ocean  
surface current patterns and how they relate to issues of navigation,  
weather/climate, natural hazards and marine resource, visit

http://www.oceanmotion.org/index.htm

LASER AWARDS JUNE 12 (K-12)

The 2009 LASER awards luncheon on June 12 will focus on a lively  
discussion of the social responsibility of science and science  
education. Panel members are recipients of the 2009 Science Champions:  
Science Education Advocate Award.

The luncheon takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Washington  
Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Avenue, Seattle. The event is sponsored by  
Washington State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education  
Reform (LASER), CityClub, and The Boeing Company. For more  
information, go to

http://www.seattlecityclub.org/

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

isvete at u.washington.edu

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