Nasa Ignite! Presents At Because Kids Count Conference

Dec. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Bloomington, Indiana – December 8, 2011 – NASA Ignite! ™, a STEM education program launched in collaboration with Indiana Afterschool Network (IAN), Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), WisdomTools Inc., and Indiana Youth Institute (IYI), was one of nearly 100 exhibitors at the “Teaching Hope: Because Kids Count” conference on December 6-7 hosted by IYI at Indiana Convention Center. NASA Ignite!™ presented two sessions demonstrating NASA education activities and discussing how afterschool education can help meet the STEM education needs of America’s students.

NASA Ignite!, Indiana’s Summer of Innovation education effort, presented to a diverse audience of over 60 participants, including educators, administrators, and youth workers. STEM in Afterschool Programs: NASA Ignite was conducted by Julie Muffler, NASA Aerospace Education Curriculum Specialist, and Adrienne Evans Fernandez, Lead Content and Curriculum Designer from WisdomTools Inc. In this workshop, participants learned about the background and mission of NASA Ignite! and experienced a sample of the excellent, hands-on activities available from NASA. NASA Ignite! staff also contributed to The National STEM Agenda and Afterschool presented by Anita Krishnamurthi, Director of STEM Policy of Afterschool Alliance and Sonny Kirkley, CEO of WisdomTools Inc. Here, panelists addressed how afterschool and informal programs complement the national STEM education agenda and contribute to building a stronger STEM workforce.

In these sessions, participants shared experiences concerning the implementation of afterschool programs like NASA Ignite!. This unique program works jointly with the participants to maximize the free resources available on the website: ignite.wisdomtools.com (https://sites.google.com/a/infoinplace.net/nasa-ignite/home). These resources include space-themed computer games, face-to-face and web-based professional training, as well as NASA curriculum organized into thirteen STEM content strands, each with hands-on activities to enhance students’ learning experiences.

“The workshop was very informative and FUN!” said Diane Huerkamp, a workshop participant from Mooresville, Indiana, “The resources are amazing, I love the ''flight deck' [website] and the work that the team has collaboratively prepared, organized, and are disseminating; simply amazing. As the workforce of tomorrow, igniting and encouraging our youth to explore the sciences is mission critical; the NASA Ignite! not only ignites interest, it follows through with creative and fun hands-on approaches which stimulate discovery and exploration!“

The Because Kids Count conference showcases contributions from organizations serving the Hoosier youth community and attracts more than 1500 youth workers, community leaders, youth ministers, educators, counselors, and others working to make a positive impact on the lives of children in Indiana.

Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration’s (NASA) Summer of Innovation (SoI) program, the four-year NASA Ignite! program uses innovative, standards-based NASA curriculum, integrated with space-themed computer games and an exciting e-mentoring program, to inspire, engage, and motivate middle school students to learn about STEM topics and careers.  

Educators interested in joining NASA Ignite! and integrating NASA activities into their afterschool and summer efforts should email ignite@wisdomtools.com or visit ignite.wisdomtools.com (https://sites.google.com/a/infoinplace.net/nasa-ignite/home) to find out more information.

About the Indiana Afterschool Network
Its mission is to create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships to increase funding and resources, advance public policy, and promote quality out-of-school time programs.  Its vision is that all Indiana children and youth have access to high quality, affordable out-of-school programs that prepare them with skills to succeed in school, college, work, and life. For more information, visit http://www.indianaafterschool.org/.

About the Indiana Department of Education
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) aims to ensure the academic achievement and career preparation of all Indiana students is the best in the United States and on par with the most competitive countries in the world.  Led by Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana has emerged as a national leader for education reform that puts the needs of students first. With increased accountability, competition, and freedom, Indiana's educators are empowered to innovate and drive dramatic academic improvements for all Hoosier students. For more information, visit http://www.doe.in.gov.

About WisdomTools Inc.
Based in Bloomington, Indiana, WisdomTools, Inc. designs and builds training solutions and virtual worlds for education, training, and performance enhancement. It offers customized learning solutions, including virtual world simulations, serious games, micro games, mobile learning platforms, and augmented reality, as well as provides blended learning solutions, which are adapted for use by individual learners and in computer labs, or as hybrid eLearning/instructor-led courses. For more information, visit http://www.wisdomtools.com.

About the Indiana Youth Institute
IYI promotes the healthy development of Indiana children and youth by serving the people, institutions and communities that impact their well-being. For more information, visit www.iyi.org.