Math PD in a crowd-sourcing project. Math, Physics and NASA

Seeking Courageous STEM Teachers

Volunteer STEM teachers are being sought to participate in the redesign, development and online delivery of two NASA educational missions.

Participation in Phase 1 (winter/spring 2011) of the project is extended to innovative science and mathematics teachers and education professionals.

Participants will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of online instructional design, development and evaluation professionals focusing on two NASA “missions” (one a “deep space” and one an “Earth-focused” mission) to provide the context for online, independent learning experiences primarily designed for high-school students.  For Phase 1 the project team will develop a cutting-edge curriculum guide and support structures combining physics, math and NASA resources into a rich, engaging independent online learning experience for STEM students.

Members of the team will learn how to “crowd-source” connections between the NASA “VLM Virtual Physics Course” (developed under a previous NASA/CCSSO project) and the targeted NASA missions, and how to align instructional elements with the Core Content Standards in Mathematics.  Web-based support of many types will be offered; opportunities to network with other participants and STEM professionals will abound.  Project participation, including time commitments, is designed to be flexible.  In addition, participants in Phase 1 will have priority for nominating students for both pilot and general phases of the project launch.

SREB will host a webinar at 11:00am ET on Tuesday, February 15 for those interested in learning more about the project – and volunteering to participate.  To attend the webinar: register at: http://nasaiss021511.eventbrite.com

The Interdisciplinary Independent Studies (IIS) project is sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under the auspices of The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in partnership with the Educational Technology Cooperative at the Southern Regional Education Board.  To get further information about the project, contact: Tom Welch (tomw@ccsso.org) IIS Project Principal Investigator.