Four Students Chosen for NASA Pre-Service Teacher Institute

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Four University of Arkansas students in the College of Education and Health Professions have been chosen to attend a NASA Pre-Service Teacher Institute that begins July 22 in Hampton, Va.

Lindsey Swagerty, a doctoral candidate in curriculum and instruction, Grace Gandy, a pre-service teacher candidate in elementary education, and Melissa Brooks and Sarah Bart, pre-service teacher candidates in childhood education, will spend two weeks at the program offered by the Center for Integrative STEM Education at the National Institute of Aerospace. The program is provided through collaboration with NASA Langley's Office of Education.

Participants will learn to design and implement STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum. Topics include Earth systems, space weather and radiation; entry, descent and landing; and solar system exploration. Participants will explore new NASA technologies that lead to new discoveries and work with NASA engineers and scientists. The institute will emphasize alignment with education standards and using instructional technology and professional collaboration tools.

Requirements of applicants included that they be exemplary full-time students enrolled at an accredited university, have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher and a faculty recommendation. They will become part of a network whose members will continue to support each other after the institute.