Educators Get Out of This World Teaching Tools at Boeing Space Camp

Simulated space missions, astronaut training, and expert lectures give teachers new tools to take back to classroom this fall

Ortíz Middle School teacher Thomas Medlin tries on a space suit as part of his astronaut training at the 2010 Boeing Educators to Space Camp.

Four teachers from three HISD schools were selected to participate in the “2010 Boeing Educators to Space Camp” program held July 12–17 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Tara Lane and Christina Stenhouse (Deady Middle School), Thomas Medlin (Ortíz Middle School), and Carrie Stokes (Contemporary Learning Center) joined more than 100 teachers from 13 countries as part of a weeklong training adventure, designed to help them motivate students in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math.

The teachers were involved in hands-on workshops that include simulated space missions, astronaut training, and presentations by rocketry and space-exploration experts. The workshops helped bring the excitement of real-world engineering challenges to levels suitable for students to achieve a better understanding of scientific and mathematic principles.

"Sponsoring educators to attend Space Camp each year is just one of the many ways Boeing is investing in the future," said Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration. "The number of students pursuing math-, science-, and technology-related degrees is declining, particularly in the United States. It is important to work with educators, who have a direct influence on the students starting at a young age, to bring the excitement of these subjects into the classroom."

This year's group of teachers is the largest and most diverse Boeing-sponsored group to date. Since 1992, more than 700 teachers have participated in Boeing’s annual program, which is estimated to have reached more than 30,000 students around the world.

"The teachers' experiences at Space Camp will give them a unique perspective to share with their students," added Stephens. "By sponsoring Educators to Space Camp, Boeing is helping the students of today become the citizens of the future and the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers."

The program provides full scholarships to teachers in communities where Boeing has education partnerships and/or a business presence.