2018 Space Exploration Educators Conference

A team of teachers from our school wrote grants to attend the 2018 Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). We had all taken part in the NASA Microgravity University for Educators (#NASAMgUE) last year. During that experience, we traveled to NASA Johnson Space Center for profressional development and testing of our students' deployment device (https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/about-mgue.cfm). During that amazing week, we did not have any time to visit Space Center Houston, but we did learn of the SEEC conference. We quickly made plans to return to Houston and attend the conference as a team. We all took part in writing grants for travel and scholarships for registration costs. In the end, we had enough funds to fully cover the costs of the trip.  Our school district supported us by providing substitutes for the team to have time to attend the conference. Our school supported us by managing the grant funds and helping us secure all the necessary travel arrangements. The PTA was even ready to cover our registration costs; however, that wasn't necessary because we had additional grant funds come in to cover those costs as well.



In January we were able to register for sessions. We were all amazed and excited about the fantastic sessions offered and the tours available at NASA Johnson Space Center.  It really was difficult to choose. Nevertheless, we complete our session choices, reserved our hotel and rental car, and before we knew it, it was time to board the airplane to Houston. After not having any time to visit Space Center Houston, our entire conference was based in the museum. It was amazing! Session were taught by knowledgeable and experienced educators, as well as, industry professionals who have worked in the space industry. Gina Kwid and I presented for one session sharing about our NASA MgUE experience, the robot components we used in the deployment device, and teaching educators how to code those same robots using C++.  The entire conference was an amazing individual experience, team-building experience, and something I will never forget. 

 

 

 

I also became part of the Space Educator Expedition Crew on team Destiny which is a phenomenal opportunity for educators. "Educators from around the country are collaborating to prepare students for 21st century science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers through Space Center Houston’s inaugural Space Exploration Educator Crew.  Space Center Houston launched the program in 2017 to help meet a nationwide need to prepare students for STEM careers and an equal need for extraordinary teacher leaders to inspire students. The crew aims to empower teachers to build leadership competencies by creating innovative STEM programs for their students, schools and communities." For more information or to apply for next year visit https://spacecenter.org/teacher-programs/space-exploration-educator-crew/.

Amazing opportunities await all attendees at Space Exploration Educators Conference (https://spacecenter.org/teacher-programs/teachers-seec/)!