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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
As I understand it, the Educator Astronaut is
-1- A mission specialist with specific skills in K-12 education -2- Required to fulfill same duties as traditional MS (e.g. EVA, remote manipulator arm operator, payload specialist, ISS construction, etc.) The purpose of the Educator Astronaut is to "help lead the Agency in the development of new ways to connect space exploration with the classroom, and to inspire the next generation of explorers." According to http://edspace.nasa.gov/faq/faq.html , they will "experience something unique that they can use to engage students and to inspire them to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics." Currently, 3-6 educator astronaut candidates will be selected to be among the next Astronaut Candidate group. Indeed, NASA lists Educational Excellence as one of its contributions to National Priorities within its Strategic Roadmap. In this self-proclaimed role, some specific actions NASA is taking (under various categories) include -Produce teaching tools (cat: Educational Technology) -Coordinate and articulate student programs (cat: Student Support) -Provide professional development in standards-led education (cat: Support of Systemic Improvement) See "The Role of Education in NASA's Strategic Plan" at http://education.nasa.gov/implan/role.html for additional information. I see pros and cons to this program. PROS: -NASA offers a unique perspective to inspire children because it gives a glimpse of the future that can be attained via math, science and engineering. -NASA astronauts are positive role models and outstanding spokespersons for the sciences. -As Barbara Morgan said in a 2000 interview with NEA, NASA is showing that teachers are as important as geologists, engineers, physicians and scientists to the space program. CONS: -NASA's foray into the education arena may be viewed as a Public Relations campaign to inspire support for NASA more than for education. -There are other agencies tasked with promoting K-12 education (e.g. NSF) in math and science. NASA should concentrate its resources on its primary missions. -NASA can do more to inspire children and adults with successful missions and driving towards a National goal (e.g. Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Pathfinder). -Why teachers and not politicians, journalists or artists? Additional PROS/CONS and your comments welcome. Thanks for reading. |
#2
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
stmx3 wrote:
As I understand it, the Educator Astronaut is -1- A mission specialist with specific skills in K-12 education -2- Required to fulfill same duties as traditional MS (e.g. EVA, remote manipulator arm operator, payload specialist, ISS construction, etc.) The purpose of the Educator Astronaut is to "help lead the Agency in the development of new ways to connect space exploration with the classroom, and to inspire the next generation of explorers." According to http://edspace.nasa.gov/faq/faq.html , they will "experience something unique that they can use to engage students and to inspire them to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics." Currently, 3-6 educator astronaut candidates will be selected to be among the next Astronaut Candidate group. Indeed, NASA lists Educational Excellence as one of its contributions to National Priorities within its Strategic Roadmap. In this self-proclaimed role, some specific actions NASA is taking (under various categories) include -Produce teaching tools (cat: Educational Technology) -Coordinate and articulate student programs (cat: Student Support) -Provide professional development in standards-led education (cat: Support of Systemic Improvement) See "The Role of Education in NASA's Strategic Plan" at http://education.nasa.gov/implan/role.html for additional information. I see pros and cons to this program. PROS: -NASA offers a unique perspective to inspire children because it gives a glimpse of the future that can be attained via math, science and engineering. -NASA astronauts are positive role models and outstanding spokespersons for the sciences. -As Barbara Morgan said in a 2000 interview with NEA, NASA is showing that teachers are as important as geologists, engineers, physicians and scientists to the space program. -Space provide a unique environment to conduct various demonstrations (especially Newtonian physics) that can't be done on earth. CONS: -NASA's foray into the education arena may be viewed as a Public Relations campaign to inspire support for NASA more than for education. -There are other agencies tasked with promoting K-12 education (e.g. NSF) in math and science. NASA should concentrate its resources on its primary missions. -NASA can do more to inspire children and adults with successful missions and driving towards a National goal (e.g. Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Pathfinder). -Why teachers and not politicians, journalists or artists? Sure, the on-orbit experiance should be made available for everyone to enjoy. Not just hand picked government agents to fly on government run monopolies. Thats why we should return to Capitalism wrt to space travel so that the journalists, artists or just plain tourist can enjoy the experiance. Craig Fink |
#3
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
Craig Fink wrote:
[snip] PROS: -NASA offers a unique perspective to inspire children because it gives a glimpse of the future that can be attained via math, science and engineering. -NASA astronauts are positive role models and outstanding spokespersons for the sciences. -As Barbara Morgan said in a 2000 interview with NEA, NASA is showing that teachers are as important as geologists, engineers, physicians and scientists to the space program. -Space provide a unique environment to conduct various demonstrations (especially Newtonian physics) that can't be done on earth. Duh! The most obvious one. Thanks. [snip all after] |
#4
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
I for one would like to thank NASA for its commitment to education. I was
lucky to be part of a 60 strong party of teachers from England who visited Kennedy Space Centre in May of this year. We were allowed access to the whole range of NASA educational resources as well as mind blowing visits to the main sites at KSC and CCAFB. It has inspired my teaching and through that hundreds of English school children. I wish the Educator Astronauts every success and hope that if they ever travel to England that I will get a chance to meet them and introduce them to some of my pupils. Rod Stevenson Norwich England |
#5
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
Someone has to say it: there is no such word as "Relevancy." The word is
"Relevance." (Climbs off grammatical soapbox) Matt Bille ) OPINIONS IN ALL POSTS ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR |
#6
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
In article ,
stmx3 wrote: The purpose of the Educator Astronaut is to "help lead the Agency in the development of new ways to connect space exploration with the classroom, and to inspire the next generation of explorers." To be nasty and cynical, the purpose of the Educator Astronaut was to give NASA a way to co-opt Barbara Morgan into the astronaut corps, thus shutting her up. She'll pretty definitely get to fly. The chances that *another* EA will get to fly are no better than 50-50, and it will go downhill fast after that. Currently, 3-6 educator astronaut candidates will be selected to be among the next Astronaut Candidate group. Realistically, NASA is already oversupplied with astronauts. -Why teachers and not politicians, journalists or artists? Because the demise of the original Citizens In Space program, after Challenger, left a determined and vocal teacher hanging in there, politely and persistently harassing NASA about a flight opportunity, and it did not leave any already-selected representatives of those other occupations in similar positions. Politicians, yes, undoubtedly, when a half-baked excuse can be found, as one was for Senator Glenn. The others, no chance. -- MOST launched 1015 EDT 30 June, separated 1046, | Henry Spencer first ground-station pass 1651, all nominal! | |
#7
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
MattWriter wrote:
Someone has to say it: there is no such word as "Relevancy." The word is "Relevance." (Climbs off grammatical soapbox) Matt Bille ) OPINIONS IN ALL POSTS ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR Thanks...I learn something new everyday. |
#8
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Relevancy of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
MattWriter wrote:
Someone has to say it: there is no such word as "Relevancy." The word is "Relevance." (Climbs off grammatical soapbox) Sorry, but according to Mr. Webster, there is such a word. Bill Harris Sci-Fi Quote of the month: "We will never forgive and we will never forget." - Stilgar, "Dune" |
#9
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Relevance of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
Henry Spencer wrote:
[snip all before] To be nasty and cynical, the purpose of the Educator Astronaut was to give NASA a way to co-opt Barbara Morgan into the astronaut corps, thus shutting her up. She'll pretty definitely get to fly. The chances that *another* EA will get to fly are no better than 50-50, and it will go downhill fast after that. Thanks for the up front caveat on your post. I do not know what they had to 'shut her up' about. I take your comment either 1) she would incessantly complain to the media, or 2) she would divulge something nasty that would threaten to bring down NASA. I don't think NASA would have created an entire section in their strategic roadmap for #1; #2 smacks of a half-baked conspiracy and not at all realistic, IMO. The EA (Educator Astronaut) website says that Ms. Morgan will definitely fly. I can't imagine other EA's not flying if NASA is specifically recruiting them. [snip] Politicians, yes, undoubtedly, when a half-baked excuse can be found, as one was for Senator Glenn. The others, no chance. I do not think your average Joe Politician will fly again because of the controversy it would generate. John Glenn, however, wasn't your average politician. |
#10
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Relevance of the Educator Astronaut to the Space Program
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 13:05:24 GMT, in a place far, far away, stmx3
made the phosphor on my monitor glow in such a way as to indicate that: The EA (Educator Astronaut) website says that Ms. Morgan will definitely fly. I can't imagine other EA's not flying if NASA is specifically recruiting them. You don't have much of an imagination, then. NASA has recruited many astronauts who may never fly. NASA has too many astronauts, and too little ambition to actually fly them. -- simberg.interglobal.org * 310 372-7963 (CA) 307 739-1296 (Jackson Hole) interglobal space lines * 307 733-1715 (Fax) http://www.interglobal.org "Extraordinary launch vehicles require extraordinary markets..." Swap the first . and @ and throw out the ".trash" to email me. Here's my email address for autospammers: |
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