Educator guides – Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies

NASA STEM Engagement

Image: NASA/STEM

NASA's journeys have propelled technological breakthroughs, pushed the frontiers of scientific research, and expanded our understanding of the universe. These accomplishments, and those to come, share a common genesis: Education in science, technology, engineering, and math.

https://www.nasa.gov/stem

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NASA STEM Engagement seeks to:

Create unique opportunities for students and the public to contribute to NASA's work in exploration and discovery.
Build a diverse future STEM workforce by engaging students in authentic learning experiences with NASA people, content, and facilities.
Strengthen public understanding by enabling powerful connections to NASA's mission and work.

To achieve these goals, NASA STEM Engagement strives to increase K-12 involvement in NASA projects, enhance higher education, support underrepresented communities, strengthen online education, and boost NASA's contribution to informal education.

National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network

In collaboration with NASA, the National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network have assembled a new set of engaging, hands-on Earth and space science experiences with connections to science, technology, and society, as well as tips for leading hands-on activities.

https://www.nisenet.org/earthspacekit

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NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit the NISE Development Process page.

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries

Grades 5-12

NASA teacher's guide that gives a broad introduction to many aspects of meteorite science. It tells the story of Solar System history from the formation of the planets to catastrophic impacts on Earth, and helps students learn how scientists use studies of space rocks to decipher that history. Includes fact sheets containing important information about meteorites and bodies in the Solar System in convenient table form.

https://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/meteorslides.pdf

Cratering the Moon NASA Quest Challenge

Grades 4 and up

NASA Quest Challenge educator guide.

http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/files/EducatorGuides/CrateringtheMoonGuide.pdf

Moon Math: Craters!

Grades 5-8

Supplemental educator guide with activities for connecting standards-based geometry concepts (area, volume, and proportion of two- and three-dimensional objects) to an actual NASA lunar mission. A companion to the Quest Cratering the Moon Challenge.

http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/files/EducatorGuides/MoonMathGuide.pdf

Impact Cratering

Lunar and Planetary Institute Activity at a Glance lessons that gives educators background information and ideas for fun classroom activities.

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/shaping_the_planets/impact-cratering/