Aerospace Education Services Program (AESP)

Program Description

The Aerospace Education Services Program (AESP) serves America 's education community by enhancing awareness and understanding of the scientific and technological advances growing out of NASA's missions of research, discovery, and exploration. The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) AESP assists and supports educators in Florida , Georgia , Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands in updating science, mathematics, geography, and technology curricula and in utilizing new and evolving instructional technology and teaching strategies.

AESP's Aerospace Education Specialists have broad general knowledge of NASA missions and programs and strong content background in NASA's four Mission Offices:

• Aeronautics Research - Research and develop aeronautical technologies for safe, reliable and efficient aviation systems
• Science - Carry out the scientific exploration of the Earth, Moon, Mars and beyond; chart the best route of discovery; and reap the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society. A combined organization is best able to establish an understanding of the Earth, other planets and their evolution, bring the lessons of our study of Earth to the exploration of the Solar System, and to assure the discoveries made here will enhance our work there
• Exploration Systems - Develops capabilities and supporting research and technology that enable sustained and affordable human and robotic exploration; includes the biological and physical research necessary to ensure the health and safety of crew during long duration space flight
• Space Operations - Direct space fight operations, apace launches and space communications, as well as the operation of integrated systems in low-Earth orbit and beyond

Aerospace Education specialists are also experienced professional educators, current on vital education issues and familiar with the curriculum frame-works, educational standards, and systemic architecture of the states they serve. AESP personnel are knowledgeable on the full range of NASA's curriculum support products, its diverse resources for students and educators, and its extensive array of education projects throughout the country.

As representatives of NASA, Aerospace Education specialists are trained and experienced in matching the Agency's resources with the needs of educators. AESP personnel communicate NASA's activities past, present, and future in different formats suited to a wide variety of educational audiences. Activities may include professional development educator workshops, lecture-demonstration programs for students and faculty, curriculum development projects, instructional technology, distance learning, or extended instructional programs. AESP also serves colleges of education through programs for preservice educators and supports informal education programs such as those conducted in planetariums, science centers, and museums.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Aerospace Education Services Program is to:

• Support the efforts of NASA to initiate and sustain dramatic and enduring education reforms for science, mathematics, geography, and technology education.
• Improve and upgrade the scientific, mathematical, and technological literacy of all students.

Inquiries

Barbara Wentworth
AESP Administrative Assistant
NASA Kennedy space Center
Mail Code OSU
Kennedy Space Center , FL 32899
E-mail: wentworth@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu
Phone 321-867-3957
Fax 321-867-7242

Related Links

AESP Home Page: http://www.okstate.edu/aesp/AESP.html.

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