Page 2 - Edconnect Feb 2017

An Insider’s Look: Space Week Connects BPS, KSC
EachissueofedConnect(EC)strivesto bring readers an inside look at Brevard Public Schools. This month we caught up with the organizers of the popular Space Week, a program where all sixth graders study at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors’ Complex (KSCVC) for an entire day and
the Brevard Space Week Art Exhibition, a program where student art about space is displayed at KSCVC.
Bridget Gieger (BG), arts resource teacher, and Tara Taylor (TT), director, elementary leading and learning, took us through the program’s goals and history.
EC: How did Space Week get started?
TT: Years ago, the National Space Club o ered
a scholarship for one high school student
to encourage students to pursue careers in aerospace. Realizing the need to impact more students, the club went to Dan LaBlanc, CEO of Delaware North (the company that manages the KSC Visitors’Complex), which led them to BPS. Data showed that students, especially girls, tended to lose interest in aerospace by middle school so the group decided to implement space week in sixth grade in an e ort to inspire students for careers in aerospace.
EC: What sort of activities do students engage in while at KSC?
TT: Priortothetrip,studentsprepareby participating in an engineering design challenge in their science classrooms in which they build a paper truss and learn about the truss on the International Space Station (ISS). On the day of the trip, students visit the Atlantis building and the Apollo Saturn V building where they engage in hands-on learning activities. Each student has an explorer’s logbook that guides standards-based activities and learning throughout the day.
Additionally,JimKennedy,former KSC director, visits all sixth grade classrooms twice a year to facilitate an inspirational presentation with students regarding STEM education.
EC: How did art get involved with Space Week?
BG: The art exhibition was added to
the program more than 10 years
ago to showcase the creative e orts
and design illustration talents of ouryoungstudents. Asthedevelopmentof design thinking and visual literacy skills are
not only essential to a complete education and social-emotional growth, but the skills learned in visual arts and design programs are critical
to creative innovation, problem solving, and communication in all areas of science and space exploration.
EC: How is art selected for display?
BG: Artteachersareencouragedtocollaborate with 6th grade science teachers so art and science concepts/standards are integrated in the lessons and activities as they work with sixth grade students to create thematic art images for the show. Each of the elementary schools can submit up to two of their best pieces of artwork for the exhibit.
The artwork is exhibited for the full duration of the Space Week activities and open for the public for weeks following the program.
EC: What do the artists whose work is selected get?
BG: Studentswhoareselectedarerecognized with a certi cate signed by an astronaut. One work of art is also selected to be published on KSCVC Brevard Space Week VIP thank you note cards.
EC: What are other bene ts to Space Week?
TT: SpaceWeektripisabene cial
Apollo Elementary students pose for a photo during their day of learning at the Atlantis exhibit at KSC.
Students engage in learning during Space Week at KSC this year.
“Since attending Space Week, I have been thinking of ways how to improve the ISS and ways to make life more possible on the Moon and/or Mars.”
— Brevard sixth grader
Students participate in another engineering designchallengeatKSC.TheyuseK’Nexto design a truss for the ISS. Following the trip, students redesign their K’Nex designs in their science classrooms.
EC: That sounds fun! Is there more?
TT: Our Space Week website has additional standards-based activities that can be used throughout the year in the science curriculum.
experience for our students because it provides many students their rst chance to visit KSC. Students are provided the opportunity to engage in STEM activities and to explore STEM careers related to the space industry.
For KCSVC, they have an opportunity to tell
the NASA story while providing memorable experiences one guest at a time. This partnership also allows the organizations to share resources, including an inspirational venue, an audience of students, knowledgeable teachers and leaders, and invested business partners.
Student art gures prominently at the KSCVC during the Brevard Space Week Art Exhibition.
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www.brevardschools.org
Volume V, Issue 4