MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – NASA’s Ames Research Center has received the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration’s initial Pinnacle Award for helping students of all ages learn more about Earth, our solar system, space exploration and connect with NASA scientists, engineers and astronauts using online programs.
The NASA Ames Digital Learning Network (DLN) uses emerging instructional technologies to deliver interactive face-to-face and distance learning activities to contribute to the educational development of students and teachers. Featuring demonstrations and real-time interactions with NASA experts, the DLN offers a wide variety of online video-conferencing programs and webcasts. The programs and activities emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and are aligned with national educational standards.
“It is a honor to be selected as a Pinnacle Award winner, particularly because the selection criteria is based on evaluations from the school participants,” said Greg Pitzer, Ames’ Digital Learning Network coordinator. “A quality audience evaluation is evidence that our customized interactive video programs are relevant to the needs of today’s classrooms.”
Ames-developed programs like “Can A Shoebox Fly” and “Introduction to Robotics,” explore educational concepts, dynamics and technical components to teach students how and why they relate to NASA’s mission to explore and understand space. Students can also see live tests, participate in demonstrations and team planning needed to carry a design concept through to successful construction and implementation. The “Introduction to Robotics” program is recommended by 100 percent of educators who evaluated it on the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration’s Web site.
NASA’s Digital Learning Network (DLN) began in 2004. NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., manages and funds NASA’s DLN and along with the two other “hub sites,” NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, and NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center, Houston, to provide leadership and guidance for the education offices at all other NASA centers that support the DLN.
NASA’s Digital Learning Network (DLN) broadcasts remote instruction and interaction from NASA experts on an Integrated Services Digital Network at 128Kbps to 2Mbps or over Internet Protocol. All DLN programs are available free and on request.
For more information about the Digital Learning Network’s interactive programs, visit:
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