The NAA annual convention is the largest nationwide gathering of professionals representing before school, after-school and summer school programs, youth-serving organizations, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, parks and recreation departments; administrators from all public, private, faith-, school- and community-based sectors; and local, state and national policymakers. The NAA is partnering with the National Association of Elementary School Principals in a joint conference that will bring together an exceptional array of presentations, including the following NASA workshops:

Small Worlds in the Solar System: Hands-On Modeling Activities
April 2, 2009, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Participants will engage in hands-on learning activities developed by NASA’s Dawn and EPOXI mission education programs. Learn about science activities appropriate for after-school programs: Modeling in 3-D, Comet on a Stick and Where Are You? Free handouts will be provided.

The Thrill of Discovery — Engage Students in NASA Space Exploration Activities
April 2, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Experience a thematic set of inexpensive classroom-ready activities linked to content information and resources that can be used in after-school settings to involve students in NASA space exploration. Hand-outs include resource guides and posters.

From Out-of-School to Outer Space
April 3, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Use the excitement of exploration to build science skills and understanding of science concepts with this set of theme-based science activities. Participants will engage in fun hands-on activities tied to NASA’s exploration of the solar system.

Explore! Health in Space: Keeping Astronauts (and Children) Healthy
April 3, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Participate in hands-on activities that examine the challenges to astronauts living and working in space. Explore what astronauts — and children — need to do to stay healthy. Participants receive lesson plans and learn about extensive free online materials.

Ready-to-Go Space Science Activities for Young Explorers
April 3, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Make the most of children’s curiosity about space! Explore fun, hands-on activities for exploring the sun, Earth and moon. Using easy-to-find materials, learn how to do activities that will excite children and bring out the scientist in all of them!

Edible Rocks, Meteorites and Meteorwrongs!
April 3, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Engage in hands-on learning activity and an online interactive developed by NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the NASA Dawn mission. Learn about science activities appropriate for after-school programs: Edible Rocks, Find a Meteorite, and Exploring Meteorite Mysteries: Noblesville Fall.

Kids Can Learn Space Science Through Fiction: Everyone Loves a Story
April 4, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Discover how children can learn about space science through narratives. Using an engaging story, students will be able to organize facts and data, illustrate procedures, and simulate possible outcomes.

For more information about the 2009 NAA conference, visit http://www.naaconvention.org.