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SSEP on STS-135, the Final Flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis, and of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program
Experiment Design Competition and Selection of Flight Experiments: Winter/Spring 2011
Flight to ISS: launched July 8, 2011; returned to Earth July 21, 2011 (see Flight Profile page)
The 11 communities profiled below provided the opportunity for 11,000 grade 5-12 students, across 48 schools, to design and propose real experiments to fly aboard the final flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-135)—the final flight of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program.
A total of 17,300 grade K-12 students were given the opportunity to participate in SSEP community-wide programming, which includes the design of a Mission Patch to fly aboard Atlantis.
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 525 grade 5-8 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 1,060 grade K-8 students participating
Number of participating schools: 1, Parkridge Elementary School
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
Participation in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program will help our school meet our STEM education needs. Participating in this program is a perfect way to help tie STEM lessons into the different grade levels. Parkridge strongly believes in allowing all students the opportunity to get involved with activities such as SSEP as to better prepare our students for their futures. The motto at Parkridge is “College Ready”. We believe that it’s our role here to prepare students for their futures by getting them ready for college. SSEP is also beneficial because it gives students a glimpse into future career options and what it’s like to work like a scientist. Our school will also be using this program in partnership with our school wide science fair. Not only will all grade levels benefit from the SSEP, also our community will be made aware of this opportunity. Parents and the community will be able to visit our science fair and learn about the SSEP. We know that by allowing our students to participate in STEM activities that it will not only broaden our student’s knowledge in different areas of science, technology, engineering, and math, but also better prepare them for their futures.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Peoria Unified School District
John F. Long Properties LLLP
Vernier Software & Technology
NAU/ NASA Space Grant
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Director
Alison Thammavongsa
7th grade science teacher, Peoria Unified School District
athammavongsa@peoriaud.k12.az.us
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 150 grade 5-8 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 364 grade K-8 students participating
Number of participating schools: 1
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
The Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School is amongst the shining stars of Hartford Public Schools—with the Choose, Achieve, and Succeed motto of educational reform. Out school highlights the core philosophy that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are the norm for all students—kindergarten through eighth grade. Through various established partnerships, the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program allows our students the opportunity to work collaboratively with high school, college and industry-level professionals. These opportunities are not only unique, but incorporate our inquiry-based educational programming along with the integration of 21st Century Skills. The idea of bringing all levels of academic learners to work collaboratively on a joint experiment fosters an amazing educational experience. This real-world experience will inspire students to continue their education within science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School
Hamilton Sundstrand
Connecticut Space Grant College Consortium
University High School of Science and Engineering
Hartford Public Schools
Travelers Insurance
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Director
Rachael Manzer
STEM Theme Coach, Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School
manzr001@hartfordschools.org
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 355 grade 4-8 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 700 grade K-8 students participating
Number of participating schools: 1, Skinner West Classical, Fine Arts & Technology School
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
Chicago is the headquarters for many of the country’s most technologically advanced firms, research laboratories, and universities. In support of such institutions, Skinner West is helping to nurture the next generation of highly-educated, technologically-capable workers. Our school believes in providing students with the most authentic and inspiring science experiences possible, coupled with rigorous instruction in the skills required to conduct scientific investigations. In addition to giving children the skills they need to succeed in the 21st Century, this method of science instruction also fosters a lifelong curiosity about the natural world, and gives children the power to answer their own questions. The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program provides just the type of learning opportunity that Skinner West’s students need. This amazing program will give our students the chance to actually be scientists, designing real experiments for spaceflight. This is truly a once in a lifetime learning opportunity, with the potential to inspire hundreds of our students to pursue further studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Chicago Public Schools
Motorola Solutions Foundation
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Director
Kori Milroy
Science Teacher, Skinner West Classical, Fine Arts, & Technology School
ksmilroy@cps.edu
4. Avicenna Academy Science Community Collaboration (AASCC)
Crown Point, Indiana
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 101 grade 4-12 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 273 grade K-12 students participating
Number of participating schools: 2
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
Avicenna Academy’s school community has high scores in both Language Arts and Mathematics, as measured by our state’s standardized assessments, and our current priority is creating and fostering an ongoing love for science in our students by establishing a strong, inquiry-based science program. There is a clear connection between the investigation skills that are fine-tuned through scientific exploration and problem-solving ability. The ability to think critically and solve problems is necessary to be competitive in today and tomorrow’s job market. Our collaborative effort in this project, with Life Learning Cooperative, offers our students the chance to collaborate with other budding scientists in a different educational atmosphere. The diversity amongst the participants is remarkable and will, in that way, mirror much of the work being done by scientists around the world today. It is imperative that we prepare today’s youth for success in tomorrow’s world. Participation in SSEP allows us to bring learning out onto the playing field instead of limiting it to a classroom, and that is crucial to effective preparation for our students’ futures.
Partner Institutions and Individuals
Co-Lead: Avicenna Academy
Co-Lead: Life Learning Cooperative
Indiana Space Grant Consortium
Dr. Arshad Malik & Mrs.Malik
Dr. Amjad Bahnasi & Mrs. Bahnasi
Dr. Basil Hajjar & Mrs. Dana Rifai-Hajjar
Dr. M. Hytham Rifai & Mrs. Nuha Rifai
Anderson University Biology Department
Hoosier Microbiological Laboratories
Indiana University Northwest
The Jackson Laboratory
Yale University’s E. coli bank
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Director
Amanda Arceo
Principal, Avicenna Academy
ms.arceo.avicenna@gmail.com
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 600 grade 5-12 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 800 grade K-12 students participating
Number of participating schools: 4
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
The participation in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program will engage our communities located in western Iowa in STEM education awareness and career opportunities. The collaboration exemplified by statewide education stakeholders, internationally known companies, and entrepreneurs is a testament to the commitment to inspiring our next generation to imagine STEM related career pathways.
The district has a recognized history of excelling in providing students with college preparation. This tradition continues as the district continues to successfully collaborate and provide new resources that strengthen the STEM learning opportunities for our students. Participation in SSEP will add another level of enhancement to the Virtual Reality Education Pathway consortium resources offered in the district. Our grade 5-12 students will have the opportunity to engage in science experiments, create 3D models, and in turn engage our youngest students in student-led instruction.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Lead: Galva Holstein Community School District
Ida County Economic Development
John Pappajohn
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Rockwell Collins
Iowa Mathematics & Science Education Partnership
Iowa Space Grant Consortium
Iowa State University Extension – Ida County
Northwest Area Education Agency
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Rita Frahm
President, Ida County Economic Development
ritafrahm@heritageiowa.com
Jim Christensen
Distance Learning, HEART Data Manager, FOSS/STC Science Materials Center
Northwest Area Education Agency
jchristensen@nwaea.org
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 1,400 grade 5-12 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 6,000 grade K-12 students participating
Number of participating schools: 20
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
With Charles County’s location in the center of a regional technology corridor and the aging of our STEM workforce, Charles County has a goal of attracting and preparing students at all educational levels to pursue STEM coursework; supporting students to pursue postsecondary degrees; providing students and teachers with STEM related growth and research opportunities; and expanding the capacity of the school system to promote STEM education. The following programs have been developed and implemented to meet these goals: trans disciplinary curricula, Gateway and Project Lead The Way classes, lessons co-taught by scientists or engineers, and programs in which robotics and Chesapeake Bay issues introduce the use of technology with science and environmental issues.
In partnership with the Space Foundation, Charles County Public Schools has put into place professional development for teachers to increase their knowledge and application of space and aerospace technologies. This provides them a good foundation to become more comfortable with fundamental space and aerospace concepts allowing them to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for aerospace engineering with their students. SSEP can support the school system’s vision by engaging students in authentic scientific thinking and problem solving as they become scientists in this historic endeavor.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Charles County Public Schools
Maryland Space Grant Consortium
College of Southern Maryland
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Christine Smith
Science Instructional Specialist, Charles County Public Schools
csmith@ccboe.com
Scott Hangey
Director, Science Instruction and Program Development, Charles County Public Schools
shangey@ccboe.com
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 1,400 grade 9-12 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 1,400 grade 9-12 students participating
Number of participating schools: 1, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
The strategic need for our school community in STEM Education is two-fold; it will dramatically increase student interest and prepare and inspire our next generation of scientists for STEM careers, and it will provide new opportunities for community involvement. Participation in this project will empower our students by challenging them to ask authentic questions about the world they live in. Through the STEM Education program, our students have an opportunity to generate questions and integrate knowledge from all of their educational experiences. Using math and science skills to develop and analyze an experiment, students will foster their ability to think critically. This program will also enable students to apply their unique vocational education skills to real-world problems. Beyond engaging and educating students, families, educators and the local community will benefit from this program as well. Through exhibits and programs, and professional development opportunities, members of the Monty Tech community will assist and support teachers in STEM Education. SSEP is assisting us in meeting our long and short term goals by selecting our community for the STS-135 mission.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts
Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium MIT
Massachusetts Workforce Board Association
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Director
Paula deDiego
Science Instructor and NASA NEAT Teacher, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
dediego@montytech.net
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 130 grade 5-12 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 200 grade K-12 students participating
Number of participating schools: 2
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
STEM education: The U.S. Department of Labor stated that 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations require significant mathematics or science preparation. In 2009, these statistics prompted the Potter-Dix school district to evaluate, design and rebuild the science curriculum. The science curriculum is designed to provide students with science, math and engineering/technology in sequences that build upon each other. Physics, taught as the first science course for high school students, parallels the goals of basic algebra; reinforcing skills such as solving equations, interpreting graphs and reasoning proportionately. Engineering components emphasize process and design of solutions. Each successive course builds on the STEM principles. We believe that our students will be future scientist, mathematicians and engineers, and the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program would provide Potter-Dix students with the opportunity to increase their critical thinking skills and their science literacy.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Potter-Dix Public Schools
The Sherwood Foundation
NASA Nebraska Space Grant
Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service
Texas A & M University Department of Soil & Crop Sciences
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Joette Wells
High School Science Instructor, Potter-Dix Public Schools
Kevin Thomas
Superintendent, Potter-Dix Public Schools
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 3,200 grade 5-8 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 3,200 grade K-8 students participating
Number of participating schools: 14; also a home school network
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
As the capital of Nebraska with a population of 255,000. Lincoln has a reputation for quality education and provides students a wide variety of opportunities for authentic learning. The SSEP in Lincoln is open to any student in grades 6-12 in the public schools (6 High schools and 11 Middle schools), parochial schools and home-school groups. Participating schools have the opportunity to partner with local experts in industry and/or academia. We believe the challenges of meeting the requirements for this authentic scientific effort represent a unique learning opportunity for students and complements the theory and training they get in the classroom.
Partner Institutions
Lead: UNL Center for Science, Mathematics & Computer Education
Lincoln Public Schools
The Sherwood Foundation
NASA Nebraska Space Grant
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Jon Pedersen
Science Education Director, Center for Science, Mathematics & Computer Education, UNL
jep@unl.edu
Mark James
Science Teacher, LPS Science Focus Program, Lincoln Public Schools
ajames@lps.org
10. Bridgewater-Raritan, New Jersey
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 2,955 grade 9-12 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 2,955 grade 9-12 students participating
Number of participating schools: 1, Bridgewater-Raritan High School
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
The Bridgewater-Raritan School District (BRRSD) has created a unique opportunity to inspire and motivate a community of nearly 3,000 high school students in central New Jersey to pursue fields of study and future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students, teachers, science professionals and the community at large in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). A community where many of its residents are entrepreneurs, professionals or employed by local corporations in the technology, bio-pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries, our PreK-12 school system serves approximately over 9,000 students. The district’s curriculum has a long tradition of academic excellence designed to prepare students for both college and the workplace. This design allows for varied levels of learning in meeting the needs of individual students while providing a rich and diverse portfolio of academic options that provide challenges aimed at helping students reach their fullest potential. The Science Department at Bridgewater-Raritan High School (BRHS) offers a rich and diverse science core curriculum and a unique portfolio of science electives aimed at providing students with a broad range of knowledge and laboratory skills. Students are encouraged to take the most challenging courses (differentiated by level of rigor) in which they are most successful. The SSEP offers a truly unique opportunity to capitalize further on the proven academic success of this community by fostering a network of collaboration amongst students and faculty working together to further motivate and inspire our next generation of leaders who will take on the global challenges of the 21st century.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Bridgewater-Raritan School District
AT&T Labs
Young Science Achievers
Hawk Pointe Golf Club Foundation
Bridgewater-Raritan Class of 1986 Alumni Foundation/Princeton Area Community Foundation
Scitor Corporation
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Mr. Michael Herbst
5-12 Science Supervisor, Bridgewater-Raritan School District
mherbst@brrsd.k12.nj.us
Jorge L. Valdes, Ph.D.
Science Teacher, Bridgewater-Raritan High School
jvaldes@brrsd.k12.nj.us
11. Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, Inwood, New York
Program Scope
Experiment Design Competition: opportunity provided to 150 grade 5-8 students
SSEP Community-wide Engagement Program: 375 grade K-8 students participating
Number of participating schools: 1
Community Statement on SSEP and Strategic Alignment to Local STEM Education Need
Our STEM program provides each student with strong math, science, and computer skills and opportunities to apply those skills to complex problem solving. We want our students to become life-long learners, with a thirst for knowledge and the skills to acquire that knowledge. Our creative faculty employs Smartboards, hands-on materials, and innovation to help each student maximize his potential. Our experiential, inquiry-driven science program, centered on the scientific method, provides each student with weekly laboratory time to view/conduct experiments. Students visit science museums and research facilities where they conduct experiments and research that supplement their classroom and lab findings.
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program is the natural next step for our STEM program; challenging our students in domains they have yet to explore and enabling them to participate in a national mission. This unique project has the potential to ignite our science program while uniting our learning community. While the project itself is open to grades 5-8, the entire student body will conduct grade-appropriate scientific projects and research which will engage and involve everyone in preparation for the launch.
This will be a life-changing experience that we hope will serve as the inspiration for many of our students to enter the STEM fields.
Partner Institutions
Lead: Elliquence LLC
Galactic Medical
Oxygen Ink
Macro Design Group
TNT Design Group
AV Group
SSEP Mission Participation
STS-135
SSEP Community Program Director
Ari Ginian
Executive Director, Community Program Director, Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island
Aginian@ykli.org
SSEP Community Program Co-Director
Stew Greenberg
IT Specialist, Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island
stewg@rushhoursolutions.com
SSEP Community Program Co-Director
Larissa Steele
Assistant Principal
Lsteele@ykli.org