The Goddard Center for Astrobiology Education and Public Outreach Program GCA Team Meeting, March 23-24, 2006 Stephanie Stockman, EPO Lead

Curriculum materials development Jeff Pedelty and Jason Dworkin liaisons Mapping Astrochemsity content to Standards High school Astrochemistry Bring MIAC educators to GSFC Interact with node scientists Write education modules Field test in classrooms Return to GSFC for year two Continue work with node scientist Revise modules Field test revised modules Final Draft

Educator workshops at MIAC institutions Different institution each year (3-5) Lead by MIAC module developers Includes GCA scientists Additional workshops after year 5 supported by MSL-SAM EPO Comet research in the Classroom Science team Liaison Mike DiSanti MIAC Liaison Dr. Donald Walters SCSU MIAC partners TSU and SCSU provide telescope time GCA provides narrow-band filters

Curriculum materials development FY 04 Astrobiology in Secondary Classrooms Summer Institute June 2004 Developed an astrobiology curriculum framework that is mapped to the National Science Education Standards and AAAS Benchmarks Drafted lessons and activities and Implementation Plan for Field-testing astro-chemistry materials FY 05 Drafted lessons and activities Field testing in schools continuing Initiated collaboration with CIW and IPTAI teams to bring in DC teachers and conduct joint workshops beginning Summer 2006 FY 06 First MIAC workshop at Tennessee State University June 19-23

Curriculum Materials for Workshop Module 1: What is Astrobiology Overview of astrobiology--Fundamental questions in astrobiology Overview of the NASA Goddard Center for Astrobiology How does the investigation of comets fit into to field of Astrobiology? Module 2: How Astrobiologists Study Comets Introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum and the study of comets Remote study of comets Earth-based telescopes Satellite-based telescopes Earth-based labs: models and simulations Module 3: Astrobiology and Comets Comparing and contrasting comets Designing comets: “Comet on a Stick” Chemical composition of comets

Curriculum Materials for Workshop Module 4: Astrobiologists Study Life Understanding life’s systems Building blocks of life Building blocks of life in comets Module 5: Astrobiologists study a changing world and and a changing universe Early Earth timeline The environment of early Earth Extreme organisms on Earth; an analog for life in the Solar System? Theory of how life began on Earth

ASC at AbSciCon Session 30: Science Communication: The Other Astrobiology DisciplineChair: Linda Billings Chair: Krisstina Wilmoth Thursday, March 30th, 2006 (9: :30 am) Ronald Reagan Building, Horizon A The Astrobiology in Secondary Classrooms (ASC) Project (11:00 AM)

Virtual Teaching and Inspiration Environment Liaison Dr. Susan Hoban, GEST, UMBC VTIE is an online database includes research tools Proposal tool Glossary tool Paper writing tool Comet database VTIE PI Hoban worked closely with MIAC educators during curriculum development Interface will be utilized for Astrochemistry in the Secondary Classroom MIAC Workshops

Astrobiology Courses Astrobiology and Life in the Universe CH210, Fall Semester, 2004 Instructor: Reggie L. Hudson (Co-I) Life in the Universe ASTR380, Fall Semester, 2004 Instructor: Marla H. Moore (Co-I) Cosmos to Humanity: From the Big Bang to the Space Age Biology 290H, Fall Semester, 2004 Lecturer W. M. Irvine (Co-I)

Collaborative projects NASA Explorer Institutes initiative for Informal Education National Park Service--From Earth to Sky program ran concurrently at NASA AMES and NPS Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV Participants included 50 National Park Service Interpreters Stockman served on planning committee, identified potential Astrobiology Speakers (Mike Myer), and represented NAI EPO during workshop Girl Scouts USA--A Vision for Girls in Earth and Space Science -a two part program a including workshop at JPL to train experienced GSUSA trainers and a workshop at GSUSA training Center in NY to train novice trainers Audience included 30 GSUSA regional trainers Stockman served on planning committee and lead activities linking earth and space science

NASA Explorer School Institutes - Formal Education Initiative Held at Regional NSTA meetings in Indianapolis (30 K-12 teachers) and Seattle (52 K-12 teachers) Stockman involved in planning and implementation for both 4 hour workshops Indiana science presenter Lisa Pratt and U. Washington presenter for Seattle workshop Astrobiology hands on activities during workshops Fall 2004 AGU GIFT workshop Two-day workshop held in conjunction with AGU Fall meeting Stockman was workshop organizer 35 k-12 and community college educators participated Workshop included Astrobiology and NAI overview by Rosalind Grymes and NAI education modules as hands on activities.

Future Plans Collaborative project with CIW and IPTAI Proposing to NAI Central EPO for funding to bring DC and Knoxville,Tennessee teachers to 2006 Educators workshop hosted by Tennessee State University Possible collaborative project with Ames, University of Hawaii to bring Astrobiology content to Volcanoes National Park working with NPS