Paper Session III-B - Journeys of the Hind: Space Education

Young people, given the important facts of space exploration can make exciting journeys of the mind into events which will shape their future* In order to whet the appetite and create visions they should be prepared for real space journeys of the future. To accomplish this task, kindergarten through college curriculum must include all facets of space education. Teachers now and in the future must be able to stimulate the minds of their students for space education. To do this, space related teacher training programs need to be developed, expanded, and implemented. Currently, there are several on-going and successful teacher training programs. They include: NASA/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Educational Workshops for elementary and secondary math and science teachers; Space Academy for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama; and Teacher Symposiums sponsored by the National Space Club, Florida Committee. Several local space education programs that are in the planning stages include: Teaching the Future: Professional Educators Countdown to Learning, in Titusville, Florida; the Space Education and Research Center (SERC) at the University of Central Florida; and the Space Education Development Program (SEDP) of the Florida Space Grant Consortium