Week 5 and 6 #iNerdsMG with #NASAMgUE

We have been working hard the last two weeks and still feel as though we have not accomplished enough. While our understanding of the NASA SLED project grows, we are quickly running out of time. We did receive and send out the NASA press release to broadcast and print media with only a couple of responses that I am aware of. We also had a bit of a break through during a teacher training for the trigger for the automatic launch. The Junior Botball Wallaby could be attached and run remotely. Our after school group has been learning how to program the Wallabies. Instead of teachers showing the NASA team how to program for launch, we "hired" three fifth grade consultants to teach the appropriate group how to code. In addition, we recruited another potential mentor through with the Junior Botball trainers. The project is progressing, but the deadline is looming. It's just part of the challenge.

Challenges we have struggled with include understanding the SLED launch procedure, recruiting and developing mentors, and managing 110 students. We finally have a complete understanding of the launch procedure but the delay in our understanding was a delay in the students' understanding. However, teachers and students on the team were definitely involved in the learning process together. We solicited and had some response for mentors from Boise State University. It is difficult to know how to explain the project and how to prepare a mentor to assist. Finding and preparing a mentor for this project has led me to believe that much more can be done to prepare mentors and provide a way to create a database for educators to access for particular projects. A database is not sufficient. Mentors should be trained on inquiry-based learning, so they know how to guide students. It is challenging for teachers to work with students and train mentors simultaneously. Finally, we wanted to include all the students. Jobs have been created for the student groups. Jobs are needed at different points of the project, beginning, middle, and end. Therefore, it has been a challenge keeping all students engaged when not all students have something to do at the moment. With deadlines looming and students waiting to do their jobs, we are moving to more meetings but keeping them targeted to the necessary groups. Next two weeks are critical. Updates will be posted as time allows. Check back!