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Teachers to share Space Camp lessons
Teachers and space enthusiasts from across the region have been invited to a special science presentation at the University of the Sunshine Coast from 6-8pm on Wednesday 21 September.
Three local educators who recently spent two weeks at NASA’s Space Camp in the United States will outline their involvement in the exciting project organised by USC, Nambour Rotary Club and Education Queensland’s Science and Engineering Education Centre.
Delaney’s Creek State School principal Stuart Maish, Beerwah State School Year 4 teacher Dominic Taylor and USC Education student Emily Verrall of Buderim were treated to some of the activities that astronauts and NASA support crews undergo as part of their training.
They have returned to the Sunshine Coast keen to share their experiences, knowledge and resources with other teachers and Education students at USC.
The trio spent the first week as participants, then worked as assistant instructors for the following week, gaining valuable skills in explaining the science involved in activities like rocketry and flight, astronaut and Space Shuttle simulations and DNA experimentation.
They capped off their trip to Space Camp (the US Space and Rocket Center’s Space Academy for Educators) in Huntsville, Alabama, by travelling to Cape Canaveral in Florida for the historic final landing of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on 20 July.
Trip organiser and USC Lecturer in Primary Education Beverly Lowe said the presentation by Stuart, Dominic and Emily at USC would be entertaining and informative.
“They loved it so much at Space Camp that they didn’t want to come home,” she said. “They got to meet astronauts, do some amazing things and bring back all kinds of resources to help them with their teaching.
“Before they left, they created wikis and blogs for their students, parents, school communities and peer groups to keep in touch and to help them also learn about space.
“They’re keen to get information out there to schools and share their Space Camp experiences with other teachers, students and parents.”
For details about the presentation at USC, contact Beverly Lowe at blowe@usc.edu.au or on 5459 4766.
— Terry Walsh