2013 March Education Newsletter
As a charitable, 501(c)(3) organization, the Washington Space Business Roundtable strives to support space-related interests and develop opportunities for young people in the Washington Metropolitan area. The organization funds activities to support the education of young students relating to space and space-related technology with the goal of stimulating interest in careers in space-related fields. All proceeds from the silent auction at the Annual Flagship Luncheon will be used for the dedicated Education Fund used to sponsor initiatives in line with the WSBR mission. Some of the initiatives that the Education Fund financed over the last year are highlighted below.
Record Participation in Space Camp Scholarship Program
For the last three years, WSBR has teamed with The INSPIRE Project to send local middle school students and teachers to Space Camp. The Space Academy program includes intensive classroom, laboratory and training time, focusing on space science and space exploration. The Space Academy experience encourages teamwork, problem solving, communication skills and self-confidence. Students take part in astronaut-style training and simulations, as well as STEM activities to excite our next generation of space science and technology explorers.
Teachers also take part in astronaut-style training and simulations, as well as activities designed to promote life-long learning in a classroom setting. All lessons and activities link to National Science and Math Standards and are ready to use in the classroom.
Through joint participation and marketing and, most importantly, word of mouth, the interest in this program has soared over the last three years. With 17 applicants to the program in 2010, 32 in 2011, WSBR and INSPIRE were thrilled to receive over 120 student applicants to the program in 2012. WSBR, with the help of a dedicated $2,500 donation from International Launch Services in support of the program, funded 4 students and 3 teachers to attend the summer program in 2012.
Applications for the 2013 program are due April 1. Please encourage students and teachers from the Washington Metropolitan area to apply at http://www.theinspireproject.org.
New Partnership with the Space Generation Advisory Council
In 2012, WSBR initiated a new partnership with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of two of their events. WSBR sponsored two attendees to the first annual Space Generation Fusion Forum (SGFF) held in April 2012 in Colorado Springs. SGFF is a US-based space event, held in conjunction with the National Space
Symposium, which highlights international thinking geared towards university students and young professionals. One of the winners of this scholarship was Kris Lehnhardt (left), an Attending Physician and Assistant Professor at George Washington University, where he specializes in Emergency Medicine and Aerospace Medicine. The other winner, Heather Duckworth (second from right), left a professional dancing career (she was a Rockette!) to pursue her interest in space. She has since resumed her studies in Aerospace Engineering at Stanford University.
WSBR also sponsored an attendee to the 11th Space Generation Congress, held in October 2012 in Naples, Italy in conjunction with the International Astronautical Congress. The winner of that scholarship, Mariel John Borowitz, boasts an impressive resume that includes working full time for the Space Foundation in Washington while pursuing a space policy-related PhD at the University of Maryland.
WSBR and SGAC have partnered again to provide two scholarships to the 2nd SGFF to be held in Colorado Springs in April. For information on how to apply, visit http://spacegeneration.org/.
Field Trips for Local Schools
In 2012, WSBR provided a scholarship to the Langdon Education Campus in NE Washington, DC to send a class of 8th graders to the NASA Summer of Innovations Program Math and Science Day in partnership with Six Flags of America. The project provides hands-on learning opportunities for middle school students and educators through NASA-unique science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational activities during the summer school break.
WSBR has supported school field trips to the National Air & Space Museum both in Washington, DC and at the Udvar Hazy Center in Dulles, VA.
For information regarding WSBR’s education initiatives, including field trip applications, visit Education Initiatives.
Bring Us Your Ideas!
WSBR is always looking for programs in support of its mission to promote interest in STEM and space- related fields in the Washington Metropolitan area. Please contact Janice Starzyk, Education Chair (j.starzyk@ilslaunch.com) with any new ideas or programs.
