The following are a few examples of the many inservice and preservice teacher professional development programs offered by AESP. Workshops are tailored to the particular needs of the participants, their schools, and their students. Workshops vary by NASA Center and AESP works continually with schools to develop new offerings..

For more information about one of the following workshops or to explore ideas for customized professional development for your school, please complete a request form or contact your region's NASA center.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The light that we see with our eyes, visible light, represents only a small portion of light (electromagnetic spectrum.) Developing the technology to detect and use other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, the invisible light that our eyes cannot see, has had a tremendous impact on our daily lives. During this workshop, teachers will construct a spectroscope, investigate invisible light and make a simple telescope.

Hubble Servicing Mission/Careers in Aerospace

In the final space shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, astronauts will repair and update the telescope to extend its life by at least five years. In this workshop, teachers will learn about Hubble construction, history, achievements, and the future of this telescope. This workshop also includes presentations and activities involving careers in aerospace and aerospace related fields that educators can take back to discuss with their students.

Line Up With Math™

Make math fun! Math based decisions are made within the real-world setting of an air traffic control unit. Teachers learn how to use an interactive online Simulator featuring air traffic control problems to help students learn essential mathematical skills such as algebra, problem solving, connections, and representation. Workshop is designed for teachers of students in grades 5 -9.

New Horizons and Messenger

Learn more about two of NASA's current missions to explore the innermost and outermost extremes of our solar system. Teachers will be given an overview on the Messenger Mission to Mercury and the New Horizons Mission to Pluto. Teachers will engage with materials and instruction allowing them to bring the science of these exciting missions into their classrooms.

Rocketry/Forces in Motion

Using the newly revisited NASA Rockets Educator's Guide, teachers will learn how to shop for, build, and launch their own rockets. Participants can use information gained during this workshop to train a classroom of rocket scientists! The Rockets Educator's Guide has activities for every grade level K-12 which focus on National Science Standards.

Rocks from the Moon/Lunar Sample Certification

An introduction to Earth's closest cosmic neighbor, the Moon. Teachers who complete this workshop will be able to borrow samples of lunar rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts. The subject matter emphasis of the workshop can be tailored for teachers of elementary, middle, or high school students.

Seeing the Moon: Using Light to Investigate the Moon

Participants learn how to use a reflective spectrometer to collect and analyze authentic data from rock samples. Earth rocks are used as analogues for Moon rocks, enabling participants to see how scientists map rock types on Moon and develop theories of the Moon's history. The workshop is designed for teachers of students in grades 5-8 but activities can be adapted for older students as well.

Solar System Science

An overview of all the planets (and one former planet) in the solar system. Teachers will learn hands-on ways to incorporate measurement skills using planet distances, sizes, gravity, and other characteristics such as rotation, temperature, and atmospheric conditions.

STS -119

NASA's latest mission featuring two educator astronauts. The crew of STS-119 will perform multiple space walks to add the last remaining solar panel to the International Space Station. Learn about the history and current use of space suits and flight suits using an interactive online guide developed by NASA exclusively for this mission. Material learned in this workshop can be tailored to any grade level and can be applied to a variety of subjects including history and social studies.

Utilizing NASA Resources in the Classroom

Learn which NASA resources are right for you and your classroom! This workshop is a guided tour of all that NASA education and the Aerospace Education Services Project has to offer. Learn where to find NASA educational material and get your students excited to learn with NASA content. Teachers of all ages and subject will be able to find useful NASA and AESP material.

List of additional workshop offerings.