Inspiring the Next Generation: International Space Station Education Opportunities and Accomplishments 2000-2012 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781481023955)

The International Space Station (ISS) has a unique ability to capture the imaginations of both students and teachers worldwide. For the past 12 years, the presence of humans on board the ISS has provided a foundation for numerous educational activities aimed at capturing that interest and motivating study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Projects such as the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) and Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM) as well as events like Take Your Classroom Into Space (TYCIS) have allowed for global student, teacher and public access to space through student image acquisition and radio contacts with crewmembers. Educational activities are not limited to STEM, as illustrated by the Uchu Renshi project, in which a chain poem initiated by a crewmember in space is continued and completed by people on Earth. With ISS operations continuing at least until 2020, such projects and the educational materials that accompany them will be made available to more students around the world. It was recognized very early in the program that students would have a strong interest in the ISS and that they would be provided a unique opportunity to participate in science and engineering projects on the ISS. Since the launch of first element of the ISS, student experiments and educational activities have been performed by all of the international partner countries officially participating in the ISS Program and several countries that participate under commercial agreements. Many of these early programs still continue, and others are being developed and added regularly. Each of these diverse student experiments and programs falls into one of the following categories. This publication summarizes the main student experiments and educational activities that have been performed on board the International Space Station (ISS) from its first element launch in the year 2000 to 2011. It begins with active opportunities that are available to students today and includes a summary of activities and participants from the past. This is a comprehensive account of the education projects that have been conducted and led by the ISS Partners - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). While the immediate impact that these programs have had on our students is understandably challenging to measure, there are a number of examples of students who have pursued advanced education in technical areas as a result of their participation in these programs and their exposure to the excitement and wonder of space exploration. The projects summarized in this publication represent the enthusiasm to use the ISS as an educational platform. This enthusiasm is shared by university researchers, commercial companies, non-governmental organizations, other international government agencies, students and educators themselves. If the last 12 years of diverse and successful educational activities are any indication of the interest in and excitement for using this unique resource, the era of utilization promises to be even more successful. It is clear, based on the student experiments and activities already completed, the ISS has the exceptional ability to inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, leaders and explorers in science, engineering and technology. They will be well prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Author: Camille W. Alleyne
ISBN-10: 1481023950
ISBN-13: 9781481023955
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Language: English
Published: 11/16/2012
Pages: 238
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.24lbs
Size: 11.02h x 8.50w x 0.50d