Nineteen Florida teachers will receive grants to implement aerospace-oriented education projects in their elementary school classrooms as part of a growing statewide effort to use aerospace concepts for teaching reading, science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.  The $500 grants were awarded by the Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC), a NASA-sponsored partnership of Florida colleges and universities.

 

“I’m glad my teacher got this Space Grant award so we can make some space stuff like rockets,” said Johnny and Anthony, 5th grade students at Endeavour Elementary Magnet School.  “We can learn how satellites, rockets and the Space Shuttle works and have fun at the same time. I want to go the Kennedy Space Center and see the real stuff that my teacher and mentors (from NASA) told us about.”

 

Educators statewide were invited by FSGC to propose aerospace-oriented projects that are aligned with Florida’s Sunshine State Standards.  Among the approved projects are:
 

  • Force / Motion / Survival in Space;
  • Hot Air Balloon Project;
  • Rockets of the New Millennium;
  • 3-2-1 Lift Off;
  • From Kitty Hawk to Space 1903-2003 … And Beyond;
  • Falcons in Flight;Reach for the Stars

 “Space isn’t included in our core curriculum, so this grant will assist us in providing resources to meet some of those needs. Our children are the future of the space program!,” said Nicola Issac, Johnny and Anthony’s 5th grade teacher at Endeavour Elementary.
 

The FSGC has teamed with NASA, other Florida space-related organizations and the Florida Department of Education to promote statewide use of aerospace education programs, including NASA’s impressive space education resources, to support reading, science, mathematics, and technology education for our students.
 

The Florida Space Grant Consortium, hosted at the University of Central Florida, is part of a nationwide NASA-sponsored network of 52 consortia responsible for supporting space research, education, and outreach projects. 
 
 

CONTACT:
Dr. Penny Haskins, 386-452-9696
Mail Code: FSGC
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
http://fsgc.engr.ucf.edu/