Connecticut NASA Education Collaborative
Overview/Application Guidelines
CNEC's goal of supporting curriculum, teachers, and students within the state of Connecticut can take many forms. NASA teacher enhancement workshops provide one of the most valuable conduits of systemic support. But for training to be truly systemic, CNEC is attempting to go beyond the traditional offering of workshops and then "hope for the best" that teachers will take this back and integrate it into their classroom.
The following paragraphs will describe the application guidelines for admittance to CNEC workshops, and likewise enumerate the integration expectations for attendees once they have completed their workshop training. But don't worry, all workshop topics highlighted at the bottom of this page will be correlated to Connecticut's Standards of Learning and provide follow-up support for participants after training completion. In addition, Continuing Education Credits (CEU's) will be provided through the Science Center of Connecticut
All NASA material provided free of cost
Application Guidelines:
Admission to each workshop will be secured upon receipt of the workshop application form and the $25.00 entrance fee. Application forms must be received by the hosting CNEC body at least two weeks prior to the Workshop offering date. All NASA materials provided will be free of charge, although purchase of individual CD-ROMs if used, will be left up to the participating teacher (usual cost $5-10, although some can run $35).
The Workshop Application Form can be printed directly from the Internet, or downloaded as PDF document Application form (using Acrobat Reader to view/print ). You may also mail a self addressed stamped envelope to:
- NASA Regional Educator Resource Center
Eastern Connecticut State University
Media Room 135, ASEERC
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
Attn: Dr. Jacqueline Bowman
and indicate with a brief note, that you would like an ERC workshop application form mailed to you. Should you wish to call Dr. Bowman you may reach her at: Voice: (860) 465-5725, Fax: (860) 465-4338.
The application guidelines are simple. We want to know what impact you will have with this training upon returning to your school. This impact can take several avenues.
- First, we'd like a commitment from you and your attending principal (by way of signature) that you will be allowed to integrate at least one of the activities you received training in with all classes of an appropriate level.
- Next, while integrating an activity into your classroom is paramount, unless you provide feedback to us as to its effectiveness, we cannot improve our training/curriculum development efforts. So we'd like your assurance that you would complete a brief product survey after you've piloted it in your classroom.
- Lastly, the fact that we've potentially impacted your students is tremendous, but we know that you are not alone in your education efforts. So, we'd like a commitment from you and your attending principal describing how you'll share what you've learned with others in your school or discipline area.
This commitment can take on the form of an after school teacher share-a-thon, a formal teacher workshop, a demonstration during a faculty meeting, etc., and must be conducted within 6 months of initial training. The type of teacher follow-up and number of teachers impacted can be briefly described on the application form and will be completed with the return of the product evaluation surveys once the teacher training has been conducted. That's it.
Follw-Up Support Provided:
Regarding follow-up support on our end, the NASA Educator Resource Centers in Connecticut, want to facilitate you however possible following the conclusion of your initial training. For we know that a single training session does not an expert make! Thus we will be available to answer any question you may have during our regular RERC hours. Should a phone call or e-mail not be sufficient, you may also call to schedule an appointment where an RERC representative can assist you in person. These in-person sessions of course will need to be congruent with our regular ERC office hours. Additionally, CNEC trained teachers will be added to the CNEC listserv such that they can become part of a growing systemic network for collaboration and support.
Besides providing an electronic communication channel, the CNEC listserv posts many upcoming NASA Education Program opportunities and advance announcements of potential funding sources and newly emerging NASA education support materials. Where appropriate CNEC trained teachers can work directly with a NASA Aerospace Education Specialists to develop a comprehensive school wide follow-up program.
Finally, CNEC trained teachers will be eligible to attend free regional follow-up training and an Annual CNEC conference linked to Connecticut's Annual Science Teachers Convention. 
Workshop Topics:
The workshops will cover a wide range of earth and space science topics. The intent is to use the hook of space science education to assist teachers as they facilitate their students' understanding of Connecticut's Standards of Learning. The following workshops will be occurring throughout the 1998-1999 school year.
- Rocketry
Interested in integrating math, science and technology in a way that's sure to interest your students? Try Rockets! We'll be constructing simple rockets from film cans and papers. Acquire technology design skills with rocket cars. Help Grade 4-8 students develop a strong understanding of physics and its relation to technology. - Microgravity
Most people are aware that objects float in an orbiting spacecraft, but few understand why it happens or how it can be used for research. This workshop will cover the science of microgravity and will provide engaging classroom activities focusing on forces and processes being studied in space today. Grades 6-8. - Earth System Science
Earth is an interactive system where the air, oceans, land and biomes are forever in a state of flux. This workshop provides an interdisciplinary curriculum on the dynamics of earth systems by encouraging scientific skills through the study of global warming, ozone depletion and sea level rise. Grades 6-8 - Weather
The weather is a key force that effects our lives on a daily basis. Students will be empowered with the skills of measurement, data collection and experimentation by studying basic weather concepts. Investigate heat energy, air & water cycle through hands-on activities. Grades K-5. - Mission to Mars
Imagine your students engrossed in planning and building a model Mars Research Colony in your classroom using the latest information about the red planet collected by NASA spacecraft. Mars, science, writing, social studies, art and literature are easily integrated in a flexible and engaging classroom activity. Grades 4-8. - Toys in Space
Ever wonder how toys would work in space? I'll bet your students do! Investigate the often unpredictable actions of toys in space. Space Shuttle Astronauts discovered the effects of zero gravity with a variety of toys. Share their discoveries with your Grade 4-12 students. Videotape included. Macintosh based environment. - Global Positioning System
How do we know where we are or what time it is? Clocks & compasses only help us with approximations. With GPS we can precisely find our position in time and space. We can establish precise data points, accurately depict places on a map and navigate from point to point with little effort. Learn how these easy to use devices can be integrated into activities involving math, science and social studies. Grades 6-8. - Remote Sensing
Satellites are playing an ever-increasing role in our every day lives. Of particular interest to educators is how we can access information remotely and interpret changes occuring on our planet. GIS-Geographic Information Systems combine satellite information with maps on a computer. Learn how these new technologies can be incorporated into activities for your classroom. Grades 6-8 .