Pennsylvania Space Grant Workshops

Keep pace with the latest science research, engage in standards-based classroom activities and explore ways to make science fun while working with Penn State faculty during these summer workshops for inservice science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, educators. Network with peers and earn graduate credits. Workshops are aligned with the national science education standards and Pennsylvania standards for science and technology.

All workshops take place in State College, Pa. Grants are awarded to all participants to cover lodging, parking, some meals and partial tuition.

Applications for all workshops are due March 18, 2012.

Astrobiology: The Interdisciplinary Search for Life in the Cosmos (Grades 5-9) -- July 23-27, 2012
Learn about current research in the field of astrobiology and how this exciting topic can be used to engage students in scientific inquiry. Participants will receive NASA educational materials related to the topics and activities presented.
http://teachscience.psu.edu/workshops/astrobiology.html

Hands-On Particle Astrophysics (Grades 9-12) -- July 30 - Aug. 3, 2012
Participants will get a brief overview of modern particle physics and explore various astrophysics topics. Instructors will help participants build and use devices made from household materials to detect air showers generated by cosmic-ray protons.
http://teachscience.psu.edu/workshops/particle_astrophysics.html

Black Holes: Gravity’s Fatal Attraction (Grades 6-12) -- July 30 - Aug. 3, 2012
Delve into the predicted properties of black holes, the astronomical evidence for their existence and their importance in the cosmos. Modern ideas about gravity, space and time will also be explored.
http://teachscience.psu.edu/workshops/black_holes.html

Questions about the Pennsylvania Space Grant workshops should be directed to Heather Nelson at teachscience@psu.edu.