Sun-Earth Day (SED)
Sun-Earth Day is comprised of a series of programs and events that occur throughout the year culminating with a celebration on or near the Spring Equinox. Each year we wrap a fresh new thematic approach around this program to promote NASAs Sun-Earth Connection science, missions and cutting edge research. Over the past ten years, I have worked as lead and co-lead to develop education and public outreach events that highlight the latest heliophysics research and discoveries. Our strategy has involved the use of celestial events, such as total solar eclipses and the Transit of Venus to engage K-12 schools and the public in space science activities, demonstrations, and interactions with space scientists.
Space Weather Action Center (SWAC)
This program encourages students to design, assemble and use an 'easy to make' learning center called a Space Weather Action Centers (SWAC). These centers provide a focused environment where students can monitor and report the progress of a solar storm. As an additional part of the learning experience, students are encouraged to design their action centers with readily available art supplies and downloadable NASA imagery. Ultimately students learn how to present their 'Space Weather' reports through variety of accessible media including inexpensive video editing software and/or already existing school-based broadcast studios.
NASA Edge
Whether it's the latest launch or the coolest gadgets, NASA EDGE hosts provide an offbeat, funny and informative look behind the NASA curtain. My co-worker, Bryan Stephenson, and I worked with this team to produce 2 NASA EDGE video podcast shows specifically designed to increase your knowledge about our Sun-Earth Connection! With a few simple clicks you'll be on your way to an unscripted and unpredictable look into some of the latest information on Space Weather, Sun-Earth Day, Solar Week and the new 'student based' Space Weather Action Center!
Space Weather Media Viewer
This Flash-based viewer allows you to view real-time NASA satellite images of the Sun and the Earth. Near real-time images from a variety of NASA satellites and ground-based observatories are presented. Enjoy zooming and panning the images! A scale tool with the size of the Earth is also presented with the solar images.
Polar Sunrise: A Primary Source Activity
During the week of Jan. 23-29 our team was invited to the northern most town in the United States, Barrow, Alaska, where we attended the "Polar Gateways Arctic Circle Sunrise 2008". This conference featured more than 30 astronomers and space scientists, primarily from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.Our job was to capture and share the science and feel of the unique environment with students worldwide. Whle there we gained insight into the Inupiat culture and the communities close relationship with the arctic. We also learned how traditional 'ways of knowing' and western science work together to provide a deeper understanding of this extreme environment. The resulting ecucational project is filled with a rich variety of videos, podcasts, podcast image galleries and activities. Teachers can use the videos and descriptive podcasts to enhance their curriculum, especially when teaching about our Sun's connection to the polar environment.