The Board of Directors of Challenger Center for Space Science Education today named Daniel Barstow as the education organization’s new President.
June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D., widow of the Space Shuttle Challenger flight 51-L commander Dick Scobee, and the Founding Chairman of Challenger Center, said, “I am thrilled that Dan Barstow has been selected by our Challenger Center Board to serve as our next president. Congress and national reports have called for a revolution in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. With Dan Barstow as president, Challenger Center can become one of the most important forces for revolutionizing STEM education at a time when the nation’s needs couldn’t be greater. We are proud and honored to have Dan Barstow join our dedicated staff and network of over 50 Challenger Learning Centers.”
Mr. Barstow comes to Challenger Center with 34 years experience in education, technology, research, science, integrating dynamic systems, writing and working with bilingual students and adults. Daniel Barstow was most recently the Director of TERC’s Center for Earth and Space Science Education, one of the nation’s leading centers for research and development in Earth and space science education. Mr. Barstow has directed a staff of 25 educators, scientists, curriculum developers, professional development specialists and technologists whose combined talents have created inquiry-based visualizations to explore Earth as a system.
Mr. Barstow is the national chair of the Climate Literacy Network. He has been the principal investigator and co-PI on several NSF, NOAA and NASA initiatives, including Windows On Earth, ISS EarthKAM, GLOBE, National Model Earth Science Lab Course and MarsQuest Online. He is a leading voice for state and national policy reform to “make the revolution real” in Earth and space science education reform. His credentials will bring a wealth of knowledge and ideas to enrich STEM objectives and the educational missions of Challenger Center for Space Science Education. Early in his career, Mr. Barstow taught elementary school, bilingual students, and coordinated city-wide gifted and talented programs. His understanding of the problems that students and teachers face in today’s educational arena give Mr. Barstow the ability to create and direct curricula that meet the needs of the classroom while bringing the national standards and STEM objectives into their daily experiences.
As President, Mr. Barstow assumes responsibility of a non-for-profit organization dedicated to student and teacher excellence in science, technology, math and engineering education, preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. The international network of Challenger Learning Centers brings the wonders of the universe to hundreds of thousands of students and educators annually. Mr. Barstow will assume his responsibilities on December 1, 2008.
Challenger Center’s Board Chair, William (Bill) Readdy said of Mr. Barstow, “We are delighted to have Dan Barstow onboard. His passion for the Challenger Center mission combined with the outstanding leadership, management and interpersonal skills and his vast knowledge of science and education, will take this organization to new heights.”
About Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Challenger Center is an education organization founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts tragically lost during the last flight of the Challenger Space Shuttle. Dedicated to the educational spirit of that mission, Challenger Center develops learning centers, webcasts, podcasts, and online lessons that continue the mission of the crew and engage students in science and mathematics education. These programs use the excitement of space exploration to create learning experiences that foster lifelong learning in mathematics, science and technology and develop critical communication, decision-making, team building and collaborative skills. For more information, visit www.challenger.org
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Alan Landever, Vice-President, Network Support 816-260-4568
