Day 1 #NASAMgUE

The schedule was a full the entire week, but no one seemed to mind with all the amazing experiences and learning that took place.

Day 1 Schedule - Notice the early muster time

Learning about the future of space suits

Free Expedition App provides guided tours of the ISS

On the floor of the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility

Making sure the SLED will attach to the launch pad on the Precision Air Bearing Floor (PABF)

i-Nerds of Martian Gravity with our mentor Jessica

Week 2 NASAMgUE Teams

Preparing the SLED for testing on Tuesday

It had shipped almost a month earlier to Houston

Lots of great ideas

Each team had to give a Technical Safety Review (TSR)

 

This process reviewed the safety of the device and surrounding people and equipment

The servo arm holds the crossbow in position until it is time to deploy the satellite

We passed our TSR

i-Nerds of Martian Gravity

 

Apply for Grants and Awards

I apply for a variety of awards and grants.  I apply frequently and often for awards and grants I am interested in.  Typically I submit applications for professional awards that include monetary awards to supplement my teaching income.  Similarly, I submit grant applications for monetary needs within the classroom.   There are no guarantees when I complete applications.  However, I receive some of them because of the number of applications I complete and the belief I have in it what I do.  Whether my application is successful or not, I think it is important to share all my grant and award application opportunities.  I often feel odd applying for awards of my own initiative, but who knows better what I do than me.  I have difficulty accepting recognition even after applying for awards.  I doubt that I am the only education professional that feels this way.  That's why I feel it is important to share my experiences with other educators.

I do not receive every grant or award that I apply for.  In fact, many awards I don't receive.  However, if there is something I really believe in, I will continue to apply.  I am very excited about recently completing my application for the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (https://educators.honeywell.com/).  I made sure I shared the completion of my application and encouraged others to apply.  I will also be compelled to share the end results.  It is important for other educators to see their colleagues are not always successful.  We are never assured of success for grant or award applications.  Educators often want our students to try activities in the classroom without fear of failure. And yet, many of those same educators do not apply for grants or awards for fear of failure.  I encourage those educators to accept the same challenge you offer to your students each day.  Find your passions in education.  Apply for professional development that further develops your passion.  Apply for grants to share that passion with your students.  I believe everyone who apply for grants and awards receive notices of rejection.  We survive.  We also sometimes receive notices of acceptance and enjoy a rejuvenating professional experience.  It takes time and can be disappointing when you do not achieve the results you desire.  However, when you do have success, it's like Christmas morning.  Your excitement spreads both to your students and colleagues.  Come on!  Give it a try.  Then try again, and again.