Space Math for Teachers

  • Space Math for Teachers

    …mathematical connections from Earth to the cosmos

Space Math for Teachers

  • Based in Valdez
  • Students in this course will explore math concepts as they relate to space.
  • Develop place-based, culturally-responsive knowledge, awareness, and practical skills.

Place Based Activities May Include:

  • Way-finding
  • Stars and constellations
  • Hiking in a temperate rain forest- rain fall rates
  • How far to the horizon? Geometry for determining distance
  • Solar activity and tree rings: can a tree sense solar activity cycles?

Dates, Location, and Contact

Dates: May 29-June 4, 2022

Credits: 3 

Location: Valdez

Contact: Katie Bobowski, 907-822-3673 or ksbobowski@alaska.edu

Instructor: Woody Woodgate

  • What to expect

     Introduction to the NASA Space Math curricula. Class will be a combination of classroom and field experiences.

  • What will you get

     All students will develop a place-based lesson plan or unit to use in their own classroom. All of the lesson plans developed will be put into an online database that will be made available to all students for adaptation and use in their classroom

  • Why should you come
    • Gives teachers the ability to reconnect to and re-energize their passion for teaching.
    • Mixes classroom activities with place-based/outdoor activities, which asks the teachers to not only consider their curriculum, but to also consider their classroom
    • Collaborative workshop activities allow STEM teachers to meet and network with other educators who are living through the same experience
  • Course Sample Schedule

    Day

    Theme

    Activities
     Day 1    
    Day 2     
    Day 3     
    Day 4    
     Day 5    
     Day 6    
     Day 7    

Meet The Instructor

Woody Woodgate

Woody Woodgate photo"My background includes service in the US Army during the first Gulf War and then following the Grateful Dead (when Jerry was still alive). I was a "handyman" and contract laborer for many years before going back to school to become a teacher.  I worked as a secondary teacher and administrator in the Alaskan rural village communities of Russian Mission, Marshall, St. Mary's, and McGrath for 10 years and as a principal on the road system in Valdez. Somewhere in there, I worked for the Alaska Department of Education for three years in Juneau, spent a year teaching in Hawaii, and currently am the Director of Alaska Native Education for the Yupiit School District. My wife and I have four children who have been supportive of us following our dreams. I have an undergraduate degree in Biology from UAF, Masters degrees from UAF and UAS in Curriculum Development and K-6 Mathematics (respectively), an administrative certificate for principal from UAA, an endorsement for superintendent from UAS, and I'm currently working on a Ph.D. in Cross-Cultural studies at UAF. I am an education junkie that loves to learn and I have the student loan debt to prove it. I'm looking forward to developing a learning cohort for this class where we can share experiences and learn new ideas to share with our communities and students."

Partners: