January 7, 2004
The Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium's electronic newsletter for teachers provides curriculum ideas, Internet links and other resources to help you better meet the Washington EALRs and the National Science Education Standards.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
--"LONELY PLANETS" AUTHOR TO SPEAK
--MARS NEWS STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE (K-12)
--WEATHERFEST: SCIENCE AND WEATHER FAIR
--TWO NEW SATURDAY WORKSHOPS (3-9)
--NASA TRACKS THE SAVANNA SMOG
--DEADLINE TO PRESENT AT NSTA SEATTLE
--NEW SOLAR SYSTEM SITE (K-12)
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"LONELY PLANETS" AUTHOR TO SPEAK
On Jan. 22, the Pacific Science Center will present an evening lecture
and book-signing by David Grinspoon, author of "Lonely Planets: The
Natural Philosophy of Alien Life." Entertainment Weekly has called
astrobiologist Grinspoon's work "definitive proof that life on this
planet is intelligent and funny." But humor isn't the only thing this
long-time NASA advisor brings to the table. "Lonely Planets" starts
with the astronomical and social history that enabled reasonably
learned minds to hypothesize about other worlds and the possibility of
life on them, then continues with what has been learned during the past
four decades about the solar system and what lies beyond it.
Grinspoon, principal scientist in the space studies department at the
Southwest Research Institute in Boulder and an adjunct professor of
astrophysical and planetary sciences at the University of Colorado,
will be speaking at 7 p.m. in the Eames Imax Theatre. The lecture is
part of a monthly series being presented in conjunction with the
exhibit, Space: A Journey to our Future. Admission to the lectures is
free with regular Pacific Science Center admission. For more
information, go to
http://www.pacsci.org/default.html
MARS NEWS STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE (K-12)
NASA'S Jet Propulsion Laboratory offers the best source of
up-to-the-minute information from Mars. To track the rovers Spirit and
Opportunity, see the latest images of the Red Planet and more, go to
http://marsrovers.nasa.gov
WEATHERFEST: SCIENCE AND WEATHER FAIR
On Jan. 11, the American Meteorological Society will host WeatherFest
as part of the annual meeting being held Jan. 11-15 at the Washington
State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle.
WeatherFest, which takes place from noon to 4 p.m., is an interactive
four-hour science and weather fair designed to promote the fascinating
field of meteorology, oceanography and related sciences to Seattle area
families, students and teachers. WeatherFest will feature more than 40
cool science exhibits including hands-on experiments, educational
information, career guides and much more. For more information, go to
http://www.ametsoc.org
TWO NEW SATURDAY WORKSHOPS (3-9)
The announcement of two free workshops marks the re-opening of the NASA
Regional Educator Resource Center in its new location on the third
floor of Condon Hall.
On Jan. 24, science educator and author Ed Sobey will present Take
Flight, an afternoon of constructing and flying novel "gizmos" suitable
for the grade 3-8 classrooms. Participants will make and fly
hand-o-coptors, boomerangs, and more while examining the science
principles that make these models fly. On Feb. 21, NASA Aerospace
Education Specialist Brian Hawkins will present a workshop based on the
NASA CONNECT video, "Having a Solar Blast," which deals with
interactions between the sun and Earth. This workshop is geared to
grades 5-9.
Both workshops take place from 12:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 311 of Condon
Hall, 1100 N.E. Campus Parkway. Clock hours are available. For more
information and registration, go to
http://www.waspacegrant.org/teaworkshops.html
NASA TRACKS THE SAVANNA SMOG
Each August in southern Africa, literally thousands of people equipped
with lighters or torches go out into the African savanna, a region
dotted with villages and teeming with animals, and intentionally set
the dry grasslands ablaze.
Unlike in the United States or Europe, where such burning would cause a
national panic, it is a welcome occurrence in Africa during the late
dry season. In fact, together with fires touched off by lightning,
those started by people are a necessary part of the ecosystem on the
savanna. Though all these activities are vital to life in Africa, they
have a downside in the form of pollution. For the full story, see
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AfricaOzone/
DEADLINE TO PRESENT AT NSTA SEATTLE
Have a great classroom idea that you'd like to present at the National
Science Teachers Association's regional convention in Seattle Nov.
18-20? The deadline to submit proposals for presentation sessions is
Jan. 15, 2004.
Sessions are an hour in length. They can relate to a specific classroom
activity or curriculum, or to one of the convention "strands" (how
people learn, assessment, etc.). For details on how to submit a
proposal, see
http://www.nsta.org/conventions
NEW SOLAR SYSTEM SITE (K-12)
The redesigned NASA Solar System Exploration Web site is now live. New
features include an interactive introduction to the solar system
intended to intrigue and inspire further investigation of the planets
and unmanned missions; an interactive history timeline to showcase
where we've been; and an interactive calendar. They have also added an
image gallery, a kids page and a section for science and technology
spotlights. Visit NASA Solar System Exploration at
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm
FEEDBACK
Ideas, comments and Web sites of interest to other teachers should be sent to Irene Svete, newsletter editor, at
isvete@u.washington.edu
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