STEM Center for Math and Science Education to Collaborate with NASA on Educator Professional Development

The University of Arkansas STEM Center for Math and Science Education/Arkansas NASA Educator Resource Center directed by Lynne H. Hehr has been selected by NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Project to participate as a member in a newly created alliance designed to provide professional development for educators.

The new NASA-AESP Professional Development Alliance, administered by Penn State University for NASA, consists of a select group of high-quality professional development providers. The goal of the alliance is to improve education in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines through collaborations that identify and serve appropriate audiences, providing them with sustained access to NASA resources and assets.

Member organizations collaborate with NASA Education, the space agency’s education wing, to design and deliver ongoing professional development activities that can improve teaching and learning. Each member works with a NASA education specialist to build a strategic plan to bring resources to educators in their region. Activities are customized to match the professional development needs for teachers in any local area.

Members also have opportunities to work with NASA’s Education and Public Outreach groups to participate in various NASA events, such as piloting training of new classroom resources, or celebrations of NASA mission milestones like the launch of a new mission or one reaching its destination. In addition, members have a forum to discuss issues in STEM teacher professional development across their organizations.

Membership in the alliance is by invitation to organizations that provide professional development to STEM educators and who have had previous successful collaborations with NASA Education. The alliance has 75 members in 38 state and Puerto Rico.