[SatNews] Educators who wish to improve their classroom skills, better motivate their students and — potentially — earn a master's degree, can sign up for Space Foundation Space Across the Curriculum teacher professional development classes. These week-long, intensive, graduate-level courses provide PreK-12 educators with space-related STEM education knowledge and content that is instantly transferable to the classroom. Participants can earn continuing education credits, graduate credits, or work toward a master's degree in multiple related disciplines.

Most of the classes will be taught this summer at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute, 105 Coleridge Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo., except for the June 21-25 class, PreK-2 Early Childhood Space Exploration. Thanks to a new partnership with Colorado State University - Pueblo, the PreK-2 class will be held at the CSU - Pueblo campus. The 2010 Space Across the Curriculum courses include:

• June 14-18, Rocketry: The Future of Human Space Exploration — Held at Space Foundation Discovery Institute, 105 Coleridge Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. Participants design and construct classroom rockets for an experiential approach to teaching concepts such as Newton's Laws of Motion and the physics of flight.
• June 21-25, PreK-2 Early Childhood Space Exploration — Held at Colorado State University - Pueblo campus Centered on space and science education for early learners, this course provides early childhood educators the necessary tools to inspire eager young minds through inquiry-based learning. The age-appropriate, hands-on activities taught in the class are specifically designed to instill the excitement of exploring the child's world and the wonderment of space and can be immediately used in the classroom.
• June 21-25, Biological and Physical Research: Long-Term Space Travel — Held at Space Foundation Discovery Institute, 105 Coleridge Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. This class explores advanced life-support systems being developed on the International Space Station to keep astronauts safe from the hazards of space travel. Participants learn how to incorporate these principles into classroom lessons.
• July 12-16, Space Technologies in the Classroom: Imagery and High-Tech Science — Held at Space Foundation Discovery Institute, 105 Coleridge Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. This course examines the numerous uses of space technologies in our society for the benefit of humankind. Participants discover the practical applications of orbital mechanics as they explore every-day uses of satellites. Through field trips and hands-on demonstrations, participants are introduced to space transportation and design, robotics, communications, space power, and space structures. Participants build their own robotic arms and explore a variety of space technologies.
• July 19-23, Earth Systems Science: Our Earth Revealed — Held at Space Foundation Discovery Institute, 105 Coleridge Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo., with field trips to local geological attractions. Participants discover Earth's complex geological history by studying weathering, erosion, natural disasters, and global climate change. Field trips and area field studies offer participants a hands-on approach to witnessing the awe-inspiring geological history and formation of our planet. Through guided hikes, participants view the geology and ecology of these areas, and gain a variety of lessons, activities, and experiences to implement in the classroom.

Some scholarships are available. For tuition and registration information, contact [email protected], or go to www.spacefoundation.org/education/space-discovery-institute.