Lunar and Planetary Institute
Lunar and Planetary Institute

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Education and Public Outreach

Phone: 281-486-2109
Fax: 281-244-2031
E-mail: outreach@lpi.usra.edu


The LPI has a strong tradition in space science education and outreach. Programs and products are developed and supported by our Education Department in collaboration with the staff scientists, the Center for Information and Research Services (CIRS), the Regional Planetary Image Facility (RPIF), Publications and Program Services, the Computer Center, and partners from agencies and educational entities across the country. LPI's education and public outreach programs strive to:

Engage the community in space science and the process of science to create an educated public and to generate future space science scientists.

Develop a diverse portfolio of content-rich space science educational programs and resources, organized within compelling space science themes, and presented in a learning environment that meets the needs of the intended audiences.

Partner with other organizations to develop, evaluate, and disseminate exciting programs and products.

Share space science and the process of science among researchers, educators, and the general public in a way that leverages and respects the resources of the LPI, CASS, USRA, NASA, and the space science community.

Educator Workshops and Fieldtrips
Through space science workshops and short courses, educators explore NASA's most recent scientific discoveries and missions. Participants use standards-aligned hands-on activities prepared to engage students in the classroom. These workshops often are in partnership with the JSC ARES Education Team.

For one week each summer, classroom educators and NASA scientists head into the field to get dirty and make connections to space science research — and to the classroom! These field trips are sponsored by a Science Mission Directorate E/PO grant supplement.

Educator Resources
These are Lunar and Planetary Institute resources from our field trips, workshops, programs, and products. They include activities, images, powerpoints, recommended books and videos and Web sites, and more. We will continue to expand these sections as we develop additional resources.

Summer Interns
The LPI invites undergraduates to experience cutting-edge research in the planetary sciences. Interns work one-on-one with LPI or JSC scientists on a planetary science project. The Summer Intern Program gives students experience with real research, the opportunity to collaborate directly with planetary scientists, and a chance to preview careers in research.

SCORE
The South Central Organization of Researchers and Educators (SCORE), located at the LPI, is one of seven Broker/Facilitators within NASA's Science Mission Directorate Space Science Support Network. As Brokers, SCORE staff work to support partnerships among space scientists and formal and informal educators. Outreach efforts include involvement in state science teacher conferences, support for long-term educator-scientist collaborations, and facilitation of workshops for educators and scientists to address community issues.

SkyTellers
SkyTellers, a NSF-funded program for small planetariums and science centers, explores space science concepts through Native American legends. Why are there seasons? How did our Milky Way form? Where do stars come from? Native American storytellers share the stories and companion scientific explanations. Resource materials and hands-on activities allow further exploration of the topics.

Explore! Fun with Science
Explore! Fun with Science brings space science to the informal educational setting of the library. Children investigate space science topics including rocketry, space colonization, our solar system, and the processes shaping our planets. Explore! resources include video presentations, hands-on activities, imagery, Web materials, and supporting resources. The LPI E/PO staff members have trained more than 500 librarians to use the Explore! materials to lead library-based children and family programs.

Family Space Days
On selected Saturday mornings, the LPI E/PO staff invites children, ages 5–8, to bring their families to the Lunar and Planetary Institute to explore space science topics. Through hands-on activities, crafts, games, and stories, the children explore a different theme each Saturday. What does it take to live on the Moon? How does our Sun impact us? What is a comet?

These are just a few of the education and outreach programs at the LPI. For more information, explore our Web page at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/.

Last updated August 21, 2006