2024 Microgravity SIMST

About

Stanford University's XLab, the ASU Interplanetary Initiative, and Orion’s Quest are teaming up to offer a 1-day Microgravity Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers (Microgravity SIMST) in Summer 2024.

Excite and engage your students with the wonders of microgravity! Selected in-service California middle school teachers will learn about the physical concepts underlying microgravity in simple terms. Teachers will also be trained on hands-on activities that bring microgravity and real research data from the International Space Station (ISS) into the classroom.

After fully participating in this professional development program, teachers can receive up to a $200 stipend ($100 after completion of the Microgravity SIMST, $100 after implementing a microgravity lesson in the classroom). Travel assistance is also available.

Date: Thursday July 25, 2024

Time: 8am–5pm PST

Location: Stanford University

How Do I Apply?

Applications for the Summer 2024 Microgravity SIMST are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Initial deadline: May 17, 2024 at 11:59pm PDT. 
** Update: The application deadline has been extended until Friday, June 28 at 11:59PM PDT.

Apply Now

Why Participate?

• Learn how microgravity-enabled science helps us leverage the space environment to solve complex problems on Earth
• Get trained on hands-on activities that bring real International Space Station (ISS) data into the classroom
• Tour lab facilities and learn about cutting-edge microgravity research happening at Stanford University
• Increase student awareness of space careers and discover the future of commercial space stations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Earn up to a $200 stipend for your participation

FAQs

Am I eligible to apply? All in-service middle school educators working within the state of California are eligible to apply.

Is travel assistance available? Yes, we have a small travel stipends available for teachers who live in California and will be traveling over 35 miles to Stanford University. You can indicate your interest in being considered for travel assistance on the workshop application. In addition, all workshop participants will receive parking validation to park at the Stanford University campus for the day.

Will meals be provided? Yes, breakfast and lunch will be provided for all workshop participants.

What is Orion’s Quest? Orion’s Quest is a free, online, standards-aligned education platform that allows for experiential learning through live or virtual “missions.” Activities allow students to analyze real data from the ISS and submit their findings to scientists, engaging the students in real-world empirical inquiry and knowledge-making. Members of the Orion’s Quest team will be supporting the design and facilitation of this Microgravity SIMST.

Which Stanford University labs will be toured? The Summer 2024 Microgravity SIMST cohort will be touring Professor Debbie G. Senesky's lab, the EXtreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory (XLab).

Why study microgravity? 1) Scientists study microgravity to learn what happens to people and equipment in space. 2) Studying the effects of microgravity on the human body helps to keep astronauts safe and healthy. 3) Researchers regularly perform science experiments in microgravity to learn things that would be hard or perhaps impossible to learn on Earth.

Why middle school teachers? 1) Middle school is the beginning of the scientific and engineering pipeline problem. 2) Performance relative to international norms drops between 4th to 8th grade from above average to average. 3) Reported enthusiasm for science drops substantially: 64% of 4th graders are interested in science, dropping to 50% in the 8th grade (from the National Center for Education Statistics). 4) Broad Impact: One teacher may reach > 100 students per year. 5) Deep Impact: Teachers profoundly influence their students’ interests. 6) Retention: Teachers are the frontline in the effort to maintain high educational standards. We hope to help make your job more enjoyable and rewarding!

Who can I contact with questions? If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to Grace Hsieh <ghsieh7@stanford.edu>.