sofia's outreach programs partnerships on earth and in the sky
DESCRIPTION
Over-arching Goals of SOFIA's outreach programs: – Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in communitiesacross the U.S. and Germany– Support NASA and the DLR’s goals of inspiring the next generation of explorers.– Contribute to general public understanding of the value of scientific research.– Foster international visibility of the SOFIA program’s achievements and discoveries.TRANSCRIPT
D. E. Backman Page 1
SOFIA’s Outreach Programs: Partnerships on Earth and in the Sky
• Over-arching Goals: – Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in communities
across the U.S. and Germany – Support NASA and the DLR’s goals of inspiring the next generation of explorers. – Contribute to general public understanding of the value of scientific research. – Foster international visibility of the SOFIA program’s achievements and
discoveries.
D. E. Backman
It’s 3 AM onboard the KAO ...!Scientists!Teachers!Reporter!Mission Director!FOSTER "Flight Staff!
Kuiper Airborne Observatory FOSTER (Flight Opportunities for Science Teacher EnRichment) Program
D. E. Backman
SOFIA — The Observatory
open cavity "(door not shown)!
TELESCOPE!
pressure bulkhead!
scientific instrument (1 of 7)!
Scientist work stations, telescope and instrument control, etc.!
Educator work stations!
D. E. Backman Page 4
U.S. Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors 2011 continued • U.S. AAA flights – May 26, June 1, June 3
M. Beard San Jose, CA
M. Blessing Herdon, VA
C. DeWolf Remus, MI
K. J. Fredette Palmdale, CA
T. Paulsen Mellen, WI
M. Piper Frankfort, IL
D. E. Backman
German educator flight July 15
1x DSI – partner schools (29) & 1x DLR School-Labs (9)
Jörg Trebs Thomas Mann Oberschule - Berlin Reinickendorf Dr. Wolfgang Vieser
Christoph-Probst-Gymnasium, Gilching @ Munich
Dr. Dörte Mehlert
Deutsches SOFIA Institut St
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D. E. Backman Page 6
SOFIA AAA Program in Full Operations (2014+)
Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors Goal: Educators experience and understand the scientific research process
• Teams of 2-4 educators chosen via national calls for proposals • Proposal judgment criteria:
– Quality of plans to enhance local STEM education and public outreach – Geographic and demographic diversity
• Partnered with consenting research teams • Trained to understand flight research project • Involved in flight series w/ research partners • Supported by SOFIA Outreach after flights to fulfill proposed projects • Participants become a growing on-line support community • 60+ educators per year (classroom teachers, science museum staff, etc.)
D. E. Backman Dr. Dörte Mehlert
Deutsches SOFIA Institut St
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Developing own materials with DSI support
Mechanic und structure of SOFIA-Telescope
Spectroscopy
IR-Observations Astrobiology
SOFIA <> Interdiciplinarity