Greetings from SOFIA Education and Public Outreach! In this issue of the SOFIA Educators e-Newsletter, you will find:

-a quick overview and update on the project
-an invitation to help us test some new classroom activities
-information on a unique career opportunity with SOFIA Education and Public Outreach

Quick Project Update:

As you know, SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is the next generation airborne observatory. Now scheduled to begin operations in 2004, SOFIA, featuring a 2.5 meter telescope mounted in a highly-modified Boeing 747, will make 3 or 4 flights per week of 8-12 hours each. Normally observing from around 41,000 feet, astronomers using SOFIA will make observations, usually in the infrared band of the spectrum, that cannot be obtained in any other way. As part of the education and public outreach effort, selected educators will have the opportunity to partner with SOFIA scientists and fly on SOFIA research missions.

Modification of the SOFIA aircraft continues at the Raytheon Aircraft Integration Systems facility in Waco, Texas. To create the 12-foot-wide open cavity in the side of the aircraft, Raytheon has undertaken the largest structural modification ever made to a 747. To ensure complete structural integrity and safety, virtually the entire rear fuselage of the aircraft is being re-constructed and strengthened. As of early 2002, the internal frame members have all been replaced or strengthened, and the aircraft aluminum "skin" over that part of the plane is now being replaced with a thicker, stronger one.

Meanwhile, the telescope, being supplied to NASA by the German government, is well into the construction phase. Major sub-assemblies, such as the main bearing and vibration-isolation systems, the optical path and instrument support (called the Nasmyth tube), and the main telescope structure are being assembled and tested in Germany.

For the latest updates and pictures of progress on SOFIA, plus lots of other interesting SOFIA information, check out our web site at http://www.sofia.usra.edu/.

Telescope Assembly
image source- TA-C
©

top of page

Help Us Pilot-Test New Classroom Activities

The SOFIA Education/Public Outreach team is developing a set of engaging classroom activities to help teach concepts of "invisible light" at the middle and high school level. These activities are now ready for pilot-testing by real teachers in real classrooms. In return for trying these activities in your classroom, and reporting to us on the results, you will get to keep the materials, including a collection of hardware worth about $50, and you will be acknowledged in the final published version. Please review the announcement below and apply as soon as possible.

Pilot Test Teachers Wanted for Active Astronomy: Classroom Activities for Learning about Infrared Light

Middle and high school science teachers are invited to pilot test four classroom activities for the SOFIA Education and Outreach team. The hands-on lab activities in "Active Astronomy: Classroom Activities for Learning about Infrared Light" focus on improving student understanding of infrared light, and are designed to supplement classroom instruction about the electromagnetic spectrum. The activities are aligned with the National Science Education Standards and are suitable for physical science, earth science, general and integrated science, astronomy and physics courses.

As a pilot teachers you will conduct the activities at least once, administer the student pre-and post-test surveys, and give us your evaluation of the activities. Pilot testing needs to be completed by May 15, 2002.

The activities are designed to supplement standard instruction on the electromagnetic spectrum and the behavior of visible light. The activities assume that students are already familiar with the visible spectrum and with the behavior of light--transmission, absorption, and reflection. It is helpful if students are familiar with assembling electronic circuits. The activities are designed for six 50-minute classroom periods.

Teachers selected for the pilot study will receive and keep the kit of materials that includes a photocell, filter gels, amplifier/speaker, audio plug, alligator clip cables, LED, capacitor, and diffraction grating. In addition to the equipment in the kit, the activities require the use of generally available materials: an overhead projector, a magnifying glass with focal length ~ 15 cm (fairly standard), flashlight, laser pointer, a collection of common remote control devices (TV, VCR) from different manufacturers, transistor radio or other music source, plastic bags, tissue, paper, cardboard, red and blue crayons, Internet access or downloaded versions of images, a fan, masking tape, undeveloped exposed photographic film, 1-4 mirrors, and a method to safely mount the mirrors in place.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2002.

To apply, please submit the following information:

Name School Address,
telephone,
fax Preferred email address
Home telephone
(mailing address if different from above)
Your class schedule
Tentative dates for activities in your classroom
Description of any previous experience as a pilot test teacher

Please send your application via US mail, email or fax to:

Thi Dang SOFIA E/PO SOFIA/USRA Office
NASA Ames Research Center MS 144-2
Moffett Field, CA 94035

Email: tdang@mail.arc.nasa.gov

FAX: 650-604-1984 (with cover sheet: SOFIA E/PO, Thi Dang)

top of page

SOFIA EPO Career Opportunity

Finally, a career opportunity has opened up for someone to lead the SOFIA Education and Public Outreach Team. Please review the brief announcement below. If this opportunity is not for you, please pass it on to someone whom you think might be an appropriate candidate.

Position Announcement: Associate Director for SOFIA Education and Public Outreach (E/PO)

Position Description: Lead the SOFIA Education and Public Outreach (E/PO effort. Manage the development of all E/PO programs for NASA's SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) until operations commence in 2004. When the observatory is operational, the position leads ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of the educational programs and projects for formal and informal education and public outreach. The E/PO program also supports observatory outreach and public affairs in coordination with NASA.

Qualifications: Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred; minimum of MA or MS degree in astronomy or science education. Knowledge of astronomy and astronomy education required. Five years related experience preferred with demonstrated project management responsibilities including project planning and implementation, budget management, and supervision of staff. Requires ability to work effectively in research environment with scientists, engineers and technologists. Experience in formal and/or informal education preferred.

Public contact and travel (domestic & international) required. Work location: USRA/SOFIA Office, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. Generous benefits. Employer is SETI Institute. SOFIA's E/PO program is conducted by the SETI Institute and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for USRA, the prime contractor for NASA. Further information on this position is available at the SOFIA web site: http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov/Employment/employment.html

top of page