NASA eClips Conducts a Virginia Department of Education Training for Educators

NASA eClips educators conducted a Virginia Department of Education training for 14 educators in grades Pre-K through 5 on the use of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association’s (ITEEA) Technology, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics, and Science (TEEMS) curriculum and aligned NASA eClips resources. The TEEMS modules are part of ITEEA’s Engineering by Design (EbD) curriculum. During the training, educators were introduced to grade-appropriate TEEMS modules, worked through the modules’ authentic and project-based engineering challenges and NASA eClips activities for engaging and extending learning, and discussed best practices for implementing integrated STEM into formal and nonformal settings.

Educators working with learners in the 4th-5th grades received training on June 28, 2022. These educators participated in the icebreaker, NASA eClips Real World: Balloon Aerodynamics Challenge 1 and 2 Educator Guide, where they were challenged to create a neutrally buoyant balloon. As part of the 5th grade TEEMS module, “Our Water, Our World”, participants simulated a drop of water and traveled through different parts of the water cycle. The educators also learned about water conservation through the NASA eClips Our World: Designing a Shower Clock Educator Guide. As a part of the 4th grade TEEMS module “The Power of Solar”, educators built an “off the grid” playhouse and learned about the parts of our Sun through the NASA eClips Solar Images Guide Lites and the video, Our World “The Sun, A Real Star”.

Educators working with 2nd and 3rd grade learners were trained on June 29, 2022. In addition to completing the NASA eClips Real World: Balloon Aerodynamics Challenge 1 and 2 Educator Guide as an icebreaker, participants constructed a shake table and a structure resistant to high winds as part of the 3rd grade TEEMS module “Natural Hazards.” They learned about how NASA monitors climate change using the NASA eClips video, Our World “Monitoring the Earth’s Climate with CERES”. Educators worked collaboratively to engineer a seed spreader as part of the 2nd grade TEEMS module “From Nature to Me”, simulated pollinating a flower, and were introduced to the importance of pollinators through the NASA eClips video Our World “Honeybees”.

Pre-K through 1st grade educator training occurred on June 30, 2022. Participants constructed a terrarium as a part of the Pre-K TEEMS module “Our Living World,” and learned about growth chambers used to grow plants in space through NASA eClips video Our World “Plants in Space”. Educators were introduced to the NASA eClips video Our World “Snowpits” as a way to engage or extend learning with the Kindergarten TEEMS module “A Home for All Seasons”. Educators experienced multiple sound-related activities to familiarize themselves with the 1st grade TEEMS module “Can You Hear Me?”. The NASA Spotlite video “Sound Waves and Media” was shared as a resource to help learners understand how a medium impacts sound travel. Participants were excited to learn about the variety of NASA eClips™ resources that can be used to reinforce concepts and practices introduced with the ITEEA’s TEEMS curriculum.

The NASA eClips™ project, led by the National Institute of Aerospace, is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB91A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learners