Leaders in Space and Education Empower Educators during the 27th Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference

HOUSTON, TX - Space Center Houston is empowering educators with extraordinary science learning experiences at the 27th annual Space Exploration Educators Conference, supported by Intel, Feb. 4-6, 2021. The immersive educators conference is 100 percent virtual, connecting educators from around the world to the future of space exploration. Educators will hear from astronauts, scientists and engineers working on exciting endeavors like the International Space Station, explorations of Mars and the planets beyond. The virtual conference provides educators flexible virtual learning experiences with sessions led by industry experts, virtual tours, new virtual networking lounges and access to yearlong on-demand content and tours.

“It is now more important than ever to support our educators during this unique time,” said Daniel Newmyer, vice president of education at Space Center Houston. “Thanks to the generous support of our sponsor Intel, we’re empowering educators with exceptional access to science learning experiences, and the flexibility to support their needs with interactive, ready-to-implement lessons to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.”

Space Center Houston is persevering through the use of innovation and with a completely redesigned Space Exploration Educators Conference themed: Perseverance Through Innovation. From Apollo 13 to launching the next Mars Rover, NASA is no stranger to innovating under pressure.

With support from the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, Intel, and Tranquility Foundation, hundreds of educators will receive scholarships to attend the conference, allowing the nonprofit to provide tools and resources to educators around the world. The nonprofit has continued to innovate during the pandemic to bring access to science learning, and Intel’s support enables the nonprofit to offer educators the flexibility to access SEEC’s educational content for one year through this year’s enhanced digital platform.

“COVID-19 has exacerbated the technology and educational inequities in communities of need. It is critical that we come together to ensure that students have access to a meaningful virtual learning experience,” said Brian Gonzalez, senior director, Global Partnerships and Initiatives, Governments, Markets and Trade Group at Intel. “Earlier this year, we pledged $50 million with our Pandemic Response Technology Initiative, to support high impact programs like this helping educators energize their students at this critical time.”

Noble Prize-winning physicist and senior project scientist for the James Webb Telescope, Dr. John Mather, will present a keynote address on the history of the universe. Teacher-turned-astronaut Joe Acaba, author Andy Weir, retired astronaut Cady Coleman and Intel Corporation’s chief data scientist Melvin B. Greer will serve as keynote speakers at this year’s conference. Educators will also hear from experts from the International Space Station National Laboratory, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NASA's Artemis Program to learn about research aboard the Space Station, our solar system and future missions to the Moon and Mars. SEEC’s sessions will provide educators access to resources on how to build 3D rovers, explore how astronauts train underwater to prepare for spacewalks at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and how to build their own miniature neutral buoyancy chamber for the classroom.

Leading educators among the speaker line-up include: Lorie Hammerstrom is an informal STEM educator at Quincy Public Schools in Quincy, Massachusetts. Hammerstrom created an afterschool program for her students to engage in STEM activities focused on space exploration. Hammerstrom was awarded the Presidential Award for Math and Science Teachers in 2016. She will be presenting at SEEC alongside Sarah Quasny who works in NASA flight operations. Their session explores what happens to garbage on the International Space Station, how astronauts recycle and how scientists on the ground collaborate to solve problems aboard the floating laboratory. Michelle Mohrweis is a STEM teacher at Bogle Junior High in Chandler, Arizona. Mohrweis leads a VEX robotics club and teaches engineering to seventh and eighth grade students. She will be presenting about 3D rover design through the use of free online software. Lauren Parker is a 7th and 8th grade science teacher at Fort Worth Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. Parker has earned many recognitions in her teaching career including being named District Teacher of the Year. Parker’s session explores the Martian soil and the suitability of plant growth on the Red Planet.

The science and space exploration learning center offers educators of all disciplines from kindergarten through 12th grade a three-day virtual learning experience based in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Space Exploration Educators Conference equips educators with innovative lesson ideas to take back to the classroom. Educators will participate in curated sessions from educators and NASA experts and interact with other global teachers to learn and grow together; network in new virtual lounges to make valuable connections; explore Space Center Houston iconic exhibits including the new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket; Independence Plaza with the historic shuttle carrier aircraft; Apollo Mission Control Center and more.

Dedicated to empowering educators with a multitude of cross-curriculum ideas and ready-to-implement classroom activities, SEEC provides educators with the latest teaching tools and interprets what’s happening now in science and human space exploration. Attendees can earn up to 24 hours of continuing education credit, and one will be awarded the Cherri Brinley Outstanding Educator Award, named in honor of the 14-year SEEC veteran. A Houston-area educator, Brinley motivated fellow educators and students to pursue space exploration learning, even throughout her battle with terminal cancer.

Register today for the 27th Space Exploration Educators Conference. To register, visit spacecenter.org/seec or contact SEEC at SEEC@spacecenter.org or 281-244-2149.