Nierman Challenger Learning Center Awarded NASA Climate Education Grant

Nov. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- Challenger Center for Space Science Education has received a three-year $564,000 climate education grant from NASA to enhance learning through the use of NASA's Earth Science resources. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a partner in this project, and will receive Earth science professional development courses for their staff, help create new Earth science activities using NASA resources and offer a local workshop for teachers in Earth science.

The NASA agreement is expected to leverage NASA's unique contributions in climate and Earth system science. The grant supports NASA's goal of engaging students in the critical disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and inspiring the next generation of explorers. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego, CA engages hundreds of teachers and thousands of students each year through workshops and simulated spaceflights. This grant will help to expand the center’s offerings in Earth science by training staff, helping to develop new workshops and inquiry-based activities for students using near real time data and imagery from NASA satellites.

The program will support partnerships with NASA’s My NASA Data and Earth Observatory, two NASA websites that provide real data from Earth orbiting spacecraft to help students conduct science investigations. The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and the American Museum of Natural History will provide online Earth science courses for Challenger Learning Center educators at 16 participating centers.

Winning proposals were selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition. The winning proposals illustrate innovative approaches to using NASA content to support elementary, secondary and undergraduate teaching and learning, and through lifelong learning. There is a particular emphasis on engaging students using NASA Earth observation data and Earth system models.

The Nierman Challenger Learning Center at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a part of a growing network of centers worldwide that are being established by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in memory of the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger. Founded by the families and friends of the lost seven shuttle astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space candidate, this agency continues the Challenger crew's educational mission to teach, to explore and to inspire.

For more information, visit www.rhfleet.org

Contact: Erin Burns, Public Relations Manger
eburns@rhfleet.org (619) 685-5743
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
1875 El Prado, San Diego CA 92101

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The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center seeks to inspire life-long learning by furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology.