Preservice Teacher Program (PSTP)

Overview 

The NASA NIA Pre-Service Teacher Program is  a partnership to enhance teaching and learning in schools. The aim of the program is to provide opportunities for pre-service teachers, via technology, to enhance their knowledge and skill in teaching science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) curricula.

Note: Program participants can access program materials online.

Recent Pre-Service Teacher Institute at NASA Ames Research Center

Students from the College of Education from Cal-State Fresno participated in a week-long training at NASA Ames Research Center.  The Pre-Service Teacher Institute focused on the effective use of instructional technology in teaching techniques centered on NASA’s Vision For Exploration.  Throughout the workshop, content and technology were woven together to help the participants prepare to teach in the 21st century classrooms. (View a video overview of the training.)

NASA resources were shared and incorporated into effective learning experiences around NASA’s Vision For Exploration.  The institute focused on students' understandings/uses of research, planning, content, guiding questions, use of technology, and final project (see Rubric).   The final projects were student-produced videos expressing their own philosophies of education (see samples of final projects).

Pre-Service Teachers during the workshop increased their understanding of mathematical and science concepts related to the concept of exploration.  Best practices were modeled using technology in the lessons to increase the understanding and better technology literacy.  The participants were immersed in activities that fostered teamwork and cultivated skills required in the workplace today. 

From these meaningful and enriched activities, participants formulated their idea of the educational environment.  Pre-Service Teachers formed ideas of what their classroom should look like, how their students will learn and what tools would be needed to meet their objectives.  Participants collected digital images and video to support their philosophy as they participated in the week’s activities.  At the completion of the training, the participants presented their Philosophy of Education in either a PowerPoint presentation or video made through Windows Movie Maker.

The Pre-Service Teacher Institute offered a unique experience where the participants were able to think about the process of education.  The participants entered with preconceived notions.  In their journey through the training activities, they were enlightened on the need for better quality math and science classrooms.  Most importantly they developed a more meaningful Philosophy of Education.

Philosophy of Education Assignment
Participants in the PSTP were responsible for creating 6E lesson plans  and philosophy of teaching video presentations. View a sampling of those here:

• Philosophy of education: Sample 1
• Philosophy of education:  Sample 2
• Philosophy of education: Sample 3

Project Rubric

Participant Access to Training Materials 

Participants in specific training programs:

• can access their training materials via the links to the right
• will need their username/password to access these resources

Return to NIA Partnership page

NASA AMES PSTI

NASA LANGLEY PSTI

    Return to Top