Part-II – by Ms. Kim Abegglen NASA Endeavor Fellow, 6th Grade Earth Science and Math. MESA Advisor.
I am a 6th Grade Earth Science and Math teacher at Hockinson Middle School in Brush Prairie, Washington. I am the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) advisor and I am a NASA Endeavor Fellow. Each of these experiences gives me the opportunity to interact with curious young people, experienced teachers, and parents,community members, and administrators who care about the future of STEM opportunities. I have a master’s degree in teaching, a K-8 teacher certification and, upon completion of the NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Project, will have a STEM teaching certificate from Columbia University’s Teaching College. Thereafter, I plan to complete the professional certification process in my state. As a NASA Endeavor Fellow, I have been given a unique, rare opportunity to complete a two-week internship at NASA Goddard with my mentor scientist, Dr. Charles Gatebe. The goal of this internship is to learn by watching, interacting, and doing work with members of the NASA team. In turn, I am planning science curriculum that integrates NASA materials into the classroom. If I were to describe myself in a couple of words, it would be that I love to learn!
Kim Abegglen in front of a spherical integrating sphere during the calibration of NASA Cloud Absorption Radiometer at NASA GSFC. (Photo by CK Gatebe).
Doing Science is Exciting: NASA Goddard, Day One
Doing science is EXCITING! I can hear some of my sixth graders now, sighing, rolling their eyes, and saying under their breath, “Really now, Ms. Abegglen? Really?” I say to the skeptical, yes, indeed. Doing science is exciting. Today I spent my first day at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland working with Dr. Charles Gatebe and two teacher-researchers, Robyn and Jim. After picking up my very cool NASA badge, I was greeted by my host, Dr. Charles Gatebe. Without a minute to waste, my two week science experience/adventure/internship began as we walked into Dr. Gatebe’s building. Dr. Gatebe EXPLAINED to me the purpose of satellites like TERRA and AQUA that collect data about Earth systems. I INTERACTED with scientists and their high school, undergraduate and graduate student interns. I EXAMINED data instruments including a Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) and sun photometers. I ASKED colleagues QUESTIONS as they shared their projects. They COMMUNICATED their investigations, results, frustrations, and ideas for further consideration. We COLLABORATED as we shared possible problem-solving strategies. I READ and STUDIED about climate and evidence of climate change using interactive technology. I spent the day with an EXPERT. Every interaction I had today with NASA Goddard science-doers had an undercurrent of EXCITEMENT. They were excited by their questions and projects. They were excited to share their ideas, their knowledge and their experimental results. They were excited to be doing science!
Some may ask why all the capitalized words like EXPLAINED, EXAMINED, ASKED, etc. My students know that I capitalize when I share something that I think is important. Today I EXPERIENCED the doing of science–I could smell it, see it, hear it, and touch it. Doing science is EXPLAINING, ASKING, COMMUNICATING, COLLABORATING, READING, STUDYING, EXAMINING, INTERACTING, ENGAGING EXPERTS and being EXCITED by your wonderings, ideas and questions. My project here is help teachers and students “do science” rather than “learn science”. So, you ask, what will I DO for the next two weeks at NASA Goddard? Science, of course!
I Did Science, So Can You! A Fine Farewell!
My two weeks at NASA Goddard has flown by and has been filled with so many interesting experiences. So as I sit at my computer in my NASA office for what will be my last hour of this adventure into the world of Goddard, I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned before I fly back to my own world of family, friends, and school in Brush Prairie, Washington.
First, I am a student as much as I am a teacher. I leave here with new understandings of a broad spectrum of ideas. I spent time in the Radiometric Calibration Facility, learning from Dr. Gatebe, Rajesh Poudyal, and John Cooper how the Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) is calibrated. While I was there, I learned that collecting and analyzing data can be time-consuming and not glamorous. But I also learned that when you are motivated by a question you really want to know the answer to, you persevere through the frustration and/or boredom and focus on the big picture: accomplishing your goal, whatever it may be. There is joy in success!
Second, I can take every learning experience to help me to become a more experienced, compassionate family and community member. In addition to the science, I have gained something from everyone I have interacted with here at Goddard. That is true of everyone I meet, but I think this adventure was something different and unique. Away from my family and the responsibilities that come with them, my focus during these two weeks has been on what is happening now, with no distractions. Out of my comfort zone, I initiated conversations with others and prompted discussions of their jobs and interests. One can learn much from others if we only take the time to ask and then listen.
Third, what I think I can do and what I can actually accomplish are not always the same. Be open to unknown opportunities and challenges–you may achieve something that you never thought possible because you were unaware that you had the ideal qualities, attitude and skills. When I applied for this internship, I really had no idea that I would be selected. It was such an exciting surprise! But then I wondered if I could do it; would I understand what was being shared with me and would I find confidence to ask questions when I didn’t understand. I was a little afraid! But I did it, I’m doing it and I accomplished what I set out to do. If I hadn’t applied, a potential learning experience would have lost to me. Take every opportunity afforded you–you can do it, too!
My two weeks at NASA Goddard is really the beginning of my NASA internship. From my experiences working with NASA team members, I am now in the process of developing curriculum for grades 5-8. I will continue to collaborate with Dr. Gatebe as I finish developing and field testing a three-week unit entitled, “Self-Assessing Scientific Practices in an Integrated Science Context: The Sun is the Primary Source of Energy in Earth’s Climate System.” In this unit, students will explore light, radiation, the Earth’s Energy Budget, albedo and climate while self-identifying scientific practices. The main learning objective is to explore the Sun’s critical role in global climate while practicing thoughtful scientific skills.
During my internship I came to know about the upcoming GLOBE Student Climate Research Campaign (2011-2013) that will increase climate change understanding among students, and how a number of NASA scientists, including my host, have been helping in the planning process. My work is relevant to this program, and upon my return to my home institution, I plan to find out more about opportunities for participation. Also, I think it would be a good thing for science teachers (including GLOBE teachers) to seek similar internship opportunities with large science organizations such as NASA, to update their scientific research experience from time to time.
As a final thought, I leave NASA Goddard awed by our Earth. While I have never seen it from space, though it was described to me by the Atlantis STS-132 crew during their visit to Goddard on 29 July, 2010, I have spent time looking at it through the eyes of scientists who study pieces of it in the attempt to understand it better as a whole. Our home, Earth, is an amazing, incredible place. There is a beautiful, mysterious dance occurring as we speak between all of Earth’s systems. We are all a part of these complex, interconnected systems. So, in closing, I would ask you to consider these questions: what is your unique part in Earth’s systems, what is your unique impact, and what is your responsibility to the systems that afford you your life?
