At least 50 teachers in the U.S. will soon receive a rare opportunity to experience zero gravity, which is an activity that is typically reserved for astronauts and researchers.
NASA recently unveiled its Teaching From Space initiative, which challenges K-12educators to craft science experiments for reduced-gravity environments. These ideas must be submitted to the space agency by March 14.
NASA will select 14 teams - each consisting of four or more teachers - to fly aboard a modified Boeing 727 jetliner in Las Vegas. Once weightlessness is achieved in the zero-gravity chamber, educators will have the opportunity to complete their experiments.
"Any teacher from anywhere in the country can submit a proposal to fly an experiment," said Cindy McArthur, Teaching From Space project manager. "It doesn't matter if you teach kindergarten or advanced placement in high school. What better way to make science and math come alive-"
Meanwhile, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International recently made their own announcement that aims to inspire science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers. The group has expanded its list of scholarships for aspiring STEM teachers from 35 to 50.
