ISS across the curriculum: Space faring the Radiation Challenge

Come and design your own spacecraft that will shield our astronauts from radiation. Discuss with colleagues how the Space Radiation studies on the ISS will Influence the design of the MARS Orion Spacecraft? Radiation is an interdisciplinary science -- biology, physics, astrophysics, planetary science and engineering -- that examines the effects of radiation on living systems. Space Faring: The Radiation Challenge educator guide links these disciplines in the context of a lunar outpost by providing background, discussion and research questions, objectives, and inquiry-based activities to introduce radiation biology to middle school students. The two separate guides (Middle School and High School) include a pretest, lessons, student sheets and answer keys. All NASA resources are free and can be downloaded without copyright. Explore the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and its application to real world problem solving

Susan Kohler is the current Education Professional Development Specialist at Glenn Research Center and serves the states of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She has more than 25 years of progressively responsible K-12 educational leadership experience. She has served as Asst. Principal, Principal, Curriculum Director, Math/Science Consultant and Asst. Superintendent. Susan taught science for 13 years at the high school level. Her expertise in STEM and professional development is combined with her knowledge of new technology trends and innovative instructional strategies. Susan holds a Master’s in Education Administration from Bowling Green State College as well as a Bachelors degree of Science in Biological Sciences with the emphasis on Neurophysiology from Ramapo College in New Jersey.