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Using NASA Smart Skies in your Grades 3-6 math classes.

Overview

Educators will be introduced to the NASA resource Smart Skies. Smart Skies is a free resource for educators to utilize with their students that engages students to solve Air Traffic Control (ATC) problems. Students use a web-based interactive ATC Simulator that represents an air traffic controller's screen utilizing student math skills. Badge earners will also be introduced and engaged in hands-on activities designed to explore the four forces of flight appropriate for students in grades 3-6. NASA has a commitment to diversifying its workforce. This badge includes a section where we begin to explore the frameworks for effectively engaging students from diverse backgrounds.

Purpose

While completing this badge, you will:

Explore the NASA Ames Research Center website and become more familiar with the center's work and how it relates to our everyday lives.
Identify ways to broaden participation in STEM through Culturally Relevant Teaching strategies.
Familiarize yourself with the web-based interactive Air Traffic Control simulator Smart Skies that your students will be interacting with on your visit to the NASA Ames Research Center.
Explore additional educator resources NASA and NASA Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) have to offer.

Intended Audience: Grades 3-6 STEM pre-service/inservice educators

Relevant National Standards

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) include:

PS2.A (Forces and Motion);

PS2.B (Types of Interactions);

PS2.C (Relationship between Energy and Forces);

PS3.A (Definitions of Energy)

Time to complete: 4.0 hours

Click here to begin the steps of the badge.