OVERVIEW:
The NASA funded New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC) was established
in 1991 with the mission of advancing aerospace education, research and
technology initiatives in the state of New Jersey. The NJSGC represents
New Jersey in the NASA funded National Space Grant Program (that consists
of a representative from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia
and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico). As a participant in the National
Space Grant College Fellowship Program, NJSGC invites applications for
NASA Space Grant Fellowships to support New Jersey science teacher training
in astronomy and space science.
PROJECT ASTRO:
The New Jersey Space Grant's teacher training program provides grants
to participate in the National Science Foundation ASTRO NOVA Project.
The NJSGC Science Educator Fellowships are dedicated to Princeton University's
Lyman Spitzer, Jr., the father of the Hubble Space Telescope. Project
ASTRO NOVA pairs 2nd to 12th grade teachers with professional and amateur
astronomers to bring hands on inquiry-based astronomy education in the
classroom. The planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College in Somerset
County serves as the host site.
The goal of the Project ASTRO NOVA is to improve science education and
promote lifelong learning through long lasting partnerships between an
astronomer and a teacher and their students. Astronomy is an ideal subject
through which to spark student interest in science because most students
have a natural fascination with space and stars.
Teachers and astronomers meet for the first time at a two-day training
workshop where the partnerships are established. Participants engage in
effective classroom tested hands on astronomy and aerospace activities.
All receive a complimentary copy of the curriculum guide, The Universe
at Your Fingertips, a collection of over 90 activities for teaching basic
astronomy and space science. Every partnership receives posters, slides,
and other resources for classroom use. During the workshop, partners develop
a strategy for working together, in and out of the classroom. The New
Jersey Space Grant Consortium sponsors this talk and additional information
may be obtained from the members of the organization committee.
PROGRAMS for PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (FOR
TEACHERS AND NON-ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS):
NJSG is proud to acknowledge its successful support of a Statewide Systemic
Science Education Improvement Program. In New Jersey, the call for science
education standards was heightened when the State of New Jersey was awarded
a grant from the National Science Foundation for the establishment of
a Statewide Systematic Initiative (NJ SSI) for the reform of mathematics,
science, and technology education. A guiding principle of the resulting
science standards is that an understanding of fundamental scientific principles
and the development of science-related skills are not limited by gender,
economic status, cultural background, or ability. While the need for the
inclusion of fundamental understandings in the life, earth and space,
and physical sciences is recognized, the development of critical thinking
skills is considered of paramount importance. Further, safe practices,
the attitudes students display as they learn science, and the development
of qualities inherent in the practice of science, such as curiosity, skepticism,
open-mindedness, and honesty when collecting and interpreting findings
are critical. While these habits of mind cannot be measured easily, no
science program can be considered complete or successful that does not
promote them.
NJ has one of the most advanced and comprehensive science content standards
in the nation. Further, New Jersey is one of the first states to adopt
as a science standard the topic of Astronomy and Space Science. This is
most fitting since New Jersey was the birthplace of Space Astronomy and
three of the five NJSG Charter Members have distinguished programs in
Astronomy and Astrophysical Sciences. The Council of State Science Supervisors
Association of Science Supervisors as one of the most comprehensive in
the nation recognizes New Jersey’s Astronomy and Space Science curriculum
standards.
Since the recently adopted NJ Astronomy and Space Science curriculum standard
applies to all grades levels K-12, there are very few teachers with the
appropriate education and training to effectively teach the subject matter.
New Jersey Space Grant recognizes this as a challenge and as an opportunity
to address a critical teacher training need.
NJSG and its academic affiliate, Raritan Valley Community College [RVCC]
have formed a partnership to address this need. RVCC is recognized by
the NJ Department of Education as a Specialty Site in Astronomy providing
workshops and Summer Institutes on Astronomy. RVCC has a planetarium and
existing programs and facilities to address astronomy/space sciences teacher
training. In partnering with NJSG, a Center of Excellence in Astronomy
and Space Science Training and Education is being developed. NJSG provides
tuition grants for teachers and others to attend RVCC to gain continuing
education in Astronomy and Space Science. Program content supported includes:
Universe at Your Fingertips Series; Great Explorations in Math and Science
Series; Astronomy Summer Institutes; StarLab training; Special Topics
in Astronomy Series; and FAMILY ASTRO training.
AWARDS:
The NJSGC plans to award up to a total of fifty (50) Science Educator
Fellowships in amounts between $50 and $100 during each fiscal year. The
grant covers program tuition plus other possible related expenses. K-12
teachers that are seeking continuing education credit or professionals
pursuing Adjunct Teacher status interested in learning more about these
fellowships may contact Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium at:
wvanderv@raritanval.edu, by telephone at 908-526-1200x8566, or the New
Jersey Space Grant Program Office at: njsgc@stevens.edu or by telephone
at (201) 216-8964.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION:
Applications must be complete and submitted via the on-line application
form. Applications should be received at least 20 business days before
the scheduled RVCC program. Successful fellowship recipients will be advised
within 5 business days by the NJSGC. Registration credit will be handled
directly between RVCC and the NJSGC.
