November 14, 2020
About
Classroom to the Sky: STEMinar 2020 brings passionate educators from around the world to share research-based teaching strategies, undergraduate and graduate research in the areas of STEM and/or aerospace, as well as addressing issues currently affecting the STEM education community for K-12 educators. It is our hope that by transitioning Classroom to the Sky to a virtual one-day STEM learning event, we will have the opportunity to reach a global audience of educators and provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to incorporate STEM learning in their classrooms.
*Polk County Public School Teachers can receive in-service points available through the Science Department.
SCHEDULE
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Barbara Gruber,
Assistant Director of Education Programs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Panel Discussion
Breakout Sessions
(Specific Information regarding Breakout Sessions will be posted soon)
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Samuel Garcia Jr.,
Educator Professional Development Specialist at Kennedy Space Center
KeyNote Speaker
Dr. Barbara Gruber
Assistant Director of Education Programs
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Barbara Gruber, PhD CETL, is the Assistant Director of Education, School Programs at the National Air and Space Museum. Her programs focus on student and educator experiences with the Museum.
Before joining the Museum, she served as the Loudoun County Public Schools' Aerospace Educator in residence, a position at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center from 2015 to2017. She worked for Loudoun County Public schools starting in 2000 as the technology resource teacher at Farmwell Station Middle School and had served as a chemistry teacher at Freedom High School, a staff development trainer for Technology Resource Services, the technology resource specialist for Technology Resource Services, and an administrative intern at Moorefield Station Elementary School.
Barb holds a PhD in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Technology and Educational Policy from George Mason University, a Masters in Education in Administration and Leadership from The University of Phoenix, a Masters in Education in Educational Technology from San Diego State University, and a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry Education from California University of Pennsylvania.
She holds a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License in chemistry, administration, and supervision preK-12. She holds a student pilot certificate and flies a 1957 Cessna Skyhawk. She is a Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) from The Consortium of School Networks (CoSN) and was named by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) as a "20 to Watch" Educational Technology Leader in 2014.
KeyNote Speaker
Dr. Samuel Garcia Jr.
Educator Professional Development Specialist, Kennedy Space Center & Assistant Professor of Practice, LBJ Institute for Education and Research at Texas State University
Dr. Samuel García Jr. serves as an Educator Professional Development Specialist at Kennedy Space Center and Assistant Professor of Practice for the LBJ Institute for Education and Research at Texas State University. Prior to his position at Kennedy Space Center, Dr. García worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. As an education specialist, Dr. García works to help develop STEM educational mindsets, tools, and resources for teachers to implement in their classrooms that respond to diverse student needs and increase diversity in STEM fields. He also works with faculty serving in Minority Serving Institutions (MSI’s) in developing STEM educational tools and resources for teachers to implement in their classrooms. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. García served as secondary school educator in Rio Grande Valley in Texas for seven years. Dr. García’s research agenda is geared towards community and educational change by creating healthy, equitable, and culturally responsive STEM learning experiences for traditionally underserved populations. Dr. García earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas Río Grande Valley, formerly University of Texas Pan American and holds a doctorate degree in School Improvement from Texas State University.
Panel Discussions
Jayme Jamison
Florida Air Museum Manager
Jayme Jamison is the Museum Manager and has been with the Florida Air Museum for three years. She previously served as the Curator of Education and Programming at the Polk County History Center and served as a classroom teacher for 7 years prior. In 2018 Jayme was recognized as the Outstanding New Professional of the year by the Florida Association of Museums. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science Education from the University of Central Florid and a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma. While not a pilot herself, Jayme grew up around a great variety of military aircraft and enjoys when the U.S. Navy Blue Angels make it out for the Annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, the primary fundraiser for the Florida Air Museum.
Ed Young
Executive Director of Aerospace Center for Excellence and Kansas State University and Southeastern University Professor
Ed Young has 30 years of public service experience, including leadership positions in city, county, and state government. Young served as the director of aviation for the State of Kansas. He has been a professor of aviation law, environmental planning, conflict resolution, finance, public administration, and history at various institution including Kansas State Poly and Southeastern University. Mr. Young received a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Public Administration, and Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas; a Certificate in Risk and Safety Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a commercial pilot/Flight Instructor – Instruments/Multi-Engine and an Unmanned Aerial System pilot. He has received the following awards and recognitions; Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, class of 2019; AUVSI National Award (2019); ACEC National Engineering Honors Award (2012, 2019); AASHTO President’s Award for Aviation; NASAO Outstanding State Program Award; Center for Aviation Research and Education Outreach Award; KPWA Efficiency and Effectiveness Award; and multiple NACO county leadership program awards.
Eric Crump
Polk State Aerospace Program Director
Eric Crump is the Aerospace Program Director for Polk State College in Lakeland, Florida. He also serves as Business Principal for Red Eye Aviation, an aviation training consultancy. Eric began flight training at 13 as a ploy by his parents to encourage him to buckle down and take school seriously. It worked. Eric is a long-time flight and classroom instructor who is passionate about aviation safety and the importance of preparing and inspiring the next generation to take on the aviation industry.
Breakout Sessions
More than Amelia: Incorporating Female Aviators in History Curriculum
Presenter: Jayme Jamison
Museum Manager, Florida Air Museum
More than Amelia : Incorporating Female Aviators in History Curriculum
As with any other topic in history, women have paved a pioneering path from the earliest flying exploits to todays far reaching space exploration. From Aeronauts to Astronauts and all the engineers and mathematicians in between. Join along as we look at select stories and explore utilizing primary resources to create lasting learning opportunities in your classroom.
how veggies
are grown on the International Space Station
Presenter: Ed Rosenthal
Space Technology Hall of Fame
Founder and Chairman of Florikan ESA LLC
How veggies
are grown on the International Space Station
How veggies are grown in space on the ISS with Florikan Controlled Release Fertilizer which is a NASA Spinoff Technology.
Florikan Controlled Release Fertilizer is a Space Technology certified product, which is used by Space Plant Biology on the ISS to grow veggies and in the Advanced Plant Habitat.
Florikan CRF has also received the 2008 Gulf Guardian Award from a program administered by the USEPA as well as the National Allied Award from the ANLA and the National New Product Award from the NSPE.
Presenter
Coming Soon!
Breakout Session
Coming Soon!
Presenter
Coming Soon!
Breakout Session
Coming Soon!
For the past six years, we have looked forward to inviting educators across the country to the Aerospace Center for Excellence for Classroom to the Sky. However, with an abundance of caution due to COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to transition our beloved Classroom to the Sky to a virtual platform. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for Classroom to the Sky taking place in our 22,000 square foot expansion of the Florida Air Museum consisting of five large convertible classrooms including a holographic room, 3D printers, planetarium, and more.
