Another appeal to teachers: Sign up for the #STS134 launch #NASAtweetup!

Don't you want a photo like this?

Tomorrow at noon EDT registration will open for another incredible opportunity: the chance to see the final launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour from a mere 3.1 miles away. You’ll be at the press site. You know the big countdown clock you always see on tv? Yeah. That’s where you will watch the launch. It’s about as close as you can get to see the launch, and it is an amazing, incredible experience you will never forget. It will change you.

So why should you try for this opportunity? As teachers, we have a large audience we can share our experiences with.  Think about it – you will get excited. Your current students will get excited, their parents will get excited, previous students will get excited. Then, you’ll continue to impact your students in the future because the memories of the launch will never leave you.

Why is this so important? With the space shuttle program winding down, space flight might become less obvious to our students. It is up to us to charge our students with excitement so they can see the possibilities that abound in STEM careers. You will understand so much more about our nation’s space program, and then you will be able to share that information with your curious students. You never know, as a result of your participation at a NASA tweetup event, a student in your class may decide to go on to become a scientist, an engineer – maybe even an astronaut!

And you don’t just have to take my word for it. Here’s a list of other Twitter educators who have been able to be a part of a shuttle launch tweetup and share it with their students:

And for more information, you can read my post encouraging teachers to sign up for the last launch tweetup.

If you’re ready to take the plunge (and the nerves while waiting to find out whether or not you were randomly chosen to participate), make sure your are following @NASA and @NASAtweetup, and then get ready to register tomorrow!

Are you ready to sign up?

 

By Janelle

Space geek, science nerd extraordinaire. That's me! Want to know more, visit the About page.

3 comments

  1. Hi Janelle!
    I totally agree with you. I didn’t attend an offiial tweetup but was a guest of NASA for STS-131 the last twilight launch of Discovery. I was at the VIP viewing area located at the Saturn V building (also 3 miles away). It was truly an amazing experience. Seeing, then hearing, then feeling the tremendous power used to send our astronauts and their spacecraft into orbit really transforms you. I still get asked many questions about it by my students. The excitement is contagious and truly reaches many students you never thought it would. Everyone should apply while there is still time, especially STEM teachers. We are in the position to have the greatest impact on our students and ther future. Why not seize an opportunity which is soon to be gone and inspire tomorrow’s explorers, engineers and space enthusiasts. You won’t be disappointed and your school and community will stand behind you. This is a small reward for your great efforts in and out of the classroom.

  2. Hi,
    You can definitely share my post about my digital footprint with your class.
    I love it when I know my work is helping others learn!!!
    Teegan

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