Teacher Liaisons
The application portal for Teacher Liaison Flight 18-21 has now closed. However, we will be accepting applications for our NEXT flight of Teacher Liaisons beginning in May 2021!
SO . . . STAY TUNED!!!
Do you have what it takes to be a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison? You can be one of a few select educators from around the world who joins our Space Foundation Teacher Liaison ranks each year.
Teacher Liaison Application Process
- Create and validate an account.
- Fill out the application questionnaire.
- Submit a lesson to share with other teachers around the world.
- Scan and upload a signed letter of recommendation from your supervisor, principal, or superintendent.
- Submit your application by the deadline - completed applications are due Friday, December 18th, 2020 and will be reviewed by the Teacher Liaison Selection Committee in January 2021.
Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons participating in a Teacher Workshop during the 35th Annual Space Symposium.
What is a Teacher Liaison?
Teacher Liaisons are extraordinary educators who use space-related education programs and principles in the classroom to act as advocates for space-based education in their schools and districts. If selected for the program, they receive Space Foundation training and resources to further integrate space into their classrooms. The program is open to public, private and homeschool teachers, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers and others who deliver education programs to students.
Started in 2004, this prestigious, internationally recognized program provides an honored few benefits and privileges that improve teaching skills, strengthens resumes and influences space and science education at an international level. More than 250 educators from throughout the world are active Teacher Liaisons.
We select a new flight of Teacher Liaisons each December. Once selected, Teacher Liaisons may remain active in the program as long as they continue to meet requirements for using and advocating for space-based education in their classrooms or schools.
Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons serve as active links between the Space Foundation and their schools and school districts and often work with other space organizations, such as NASA.
Who is Eligible?
Teacher Liaisons may be any formal or informal PreK through 20 educator as well as other professionals within the PreK through 20 arena. Teacher Liaisons tend to be Master Teachers who want to inspire the next generation of students to pursue and excel in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), but membership is open to educators in all disciplines, ranging from science and math to language arts, physical education, special education or the arts. Applicants need only to demonstrate that they effectively integrate space education within their curriculum.
Benefits
- Complimentary registration for the Space Symposium
- Special recognition during the Space Symposium
- Complimentary Exhibit Center admission at the Space Symposium
- Specialized training and instruction at Space Foundation workshops, including professional development hours
- Cutting-edge space education materials, including access to an exclusive, online bank of standards-aligned lesson plans
- Opportunities to meet and communicate with top educators, space leaders, astronauts and scientists from across the country
- Exclusive Teacher Liaison online community for sharing ideas
- International recognition as an advocate in promoting and improving space and science education
- A special "logo shirt" worn ONLY by Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons
- "First" opportunities to attend Space Foundation Discovery Center, Science On a Sphere® and other special presentations, and an opportunity to bring your class to an Audience With an Astronaut™, tours of space exhibits and to participate in program pilots or course evaluations
Teacher Liaisons working together on a tech-oriented challenge in the Space Foundation Discovery Center Education Activity Center.
The "Core 4" Teacher Liaison Requirements
#1: Community Outreach
Public presentations regarding space and/or technology to members of the community. Ideas include: Community Star Gazing Night, Rocket Launching Day, Back to School Night presentation, leading Space Science Club, Boy/Girl Scouts presentation or activity, Kiwanis Club presentation, library program, Church or Youth Group presentation, Community events during World Space Week, Volunteering at museums related to STEM, etc.
#2: Teacher Education
Programs delivered to colleagues at your building or district. Ideas include: PLC presentation regarding space in all subject areas, Teacher Liaison Program presentation at staff meeting, curriculum development/alignment meeting on space and technology inclusion, presenting to staff regarding the many Space Foundation programs and opportunities, recruiting a new teacher to the Teacher Liaison program, etc.
#3: Space Foundation Connection
Don’t forget about us! Involve the Space Foundation in your teaching endeavors. We are here to assist you in so many ways. Take us up on our offers. Ideas include: World Space Week with the Space Foundation; post at least five different ideas/lessons on our Teacher Liaison Facebook Forum; bring your students to Space Foundation Discovery Center which includes the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® (SOS), Mars Robotics Laboratory, or the AGI Space Missions Simulator Laboratory for a Field Trip; have the Space Foundation come to you with our Space in the Community events; etc.
#4: Student Engagement
Include space-related lessons and activities in your classroom curriculum. Ideas include: grade-level specific space or technology curriculum, multiple-grade level rocket building, Space Day, mentoring program involving space and/or technology, robotics club or contest, humans and space unit, etc.
Probationary Period
Once accepted into the program, a one-year probationary period is mandatory to fulfill required duties and responsibilities. A Teacher Liaison leadership committee reviews each probationary member's activities during that year to determine full acceptance. If fully accepted, Teacher Liaisons must complete a requirement in each of the "Core 4" areas to stay an active Space Foundation Teacher Liaison. Volunteering at the Space Foundation Discovery Center for 40 hours can fulfill the Core 4 requirements in full.