The aim of this programme is to enhance among secondary science educators and communicators, planetary science techniques and training, utilising modern scientific field analysis equipment and personnel in remote locations that provide an analogue for the Martian surface. Through participation it is envisaged that teachers and communicators will enhance their personal understanding of earth, planetary and space sciences and gain a wide range of skills, content and investigations that will compliment current classroom operations and develop a new set of techniques to promote this area of study. It is also from this new connection that an affiliation and network of (Australian/US) teachers of planetary and earth sciences (PES) may be established.
Educators involved in this programme will be expected to commit to being members of Mars Society Australia, Inc (MSA) for at least a full 12 month period after the completion of all Spaceward Bound Australia (SBA) requirements. It is foreseen that this will involve providing school based and teacher association's professional development (suggested areas such as the state based Science teacher associations) and generation of teaching-learning resources. All public relations and professional development opportunities will need to be approved by the MSA SBA working committee and all material and professional development is to be provided as not-for-profit as suggested by the MSA Inc. mandate. In addition any sources of funding that individual teachers may apply for must first be approved by the MSA committee.
The dates for Spaceward Bound are 4th-17th of July and will be occurring in the Flinders Ranges region. It is an expectation that all successful SBA personnel will be in attendance at the 2009 Australian Mars Exploration Conference (AMEC). AMEC 2009 is scheduled for 18-19 July, immediately after SBA 2009. AMEC will occur at the University of South Australia.
For attendance as a teacher delegate on a SBA activity you need to also fulfil a set criteria that will include being a registered teacher in your state of employment, hold a current senior first aid certificate or equivalent, hold a current vehicle driver's license, have been teaching in a secondary school for a minimum of two years (completed all probationary requirements) and can demonstrate an interest with examples of implementing earth, planetary or space science into your teaching programmes.
NASA Spaceward Bound was established to develop a connection between science and the education community, it is proposed that through field work, research and development exercises that teachers will gain a better understanding of science and engineering and gain skills and examples for classroom implementation.
Through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding after the 2007 AMEC between NASA Spaceward Bound and Mars Society Australia, it has been made possible to generate training opportunities for Australian Teachers and to Australian locations.
NASA Spaceward Bound was proposed by Dr Chris McKay, planetary scientist at NASA Ames to connect teachers to scientists for real research projects. NASA Spaceward Bound operates out of NASA Ames, at Mountain View, California and coordination of the US education programmes and events occurring within the US, the liaison is Dr Liza Coe. The MSA Education Director, Mark Gargano, will coordinate Australian Teachers. It is important to note that both groups will be working together in all pre-training, field work and follow up, exercises and your designated team will be created from both groups attending Spaceward Bound. As well as receiving a professional development certificate and statement, you will also be invited to be a part of the NASA Spaceward Bound Alumni.
The application procedure involves answering a series of questions to demonstrate your current understanding of space science and your classroom applications and areas of interest. In addition to this, you must acknowledge that this may require time away from your employment and that you have verified this with your employer.
To gain a better understanding of the aims and past activities of Spaceward Bound, it is recommended that you consult the following sites for additional information;