Events such as the total solar eclipses of 2017 and 2024, the increased magnetic activity resulting from the solar cycle, and the recent findings of the Parker Space Probe are making the interactions between the Earth and Sun more impactful on the general public. Science Friday and the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT) have identified heliophysics–the science of the sun–as a topic to be emphasized and explored as a way to increase public interaction with STEM. We are designing a virtual camp with synchronous and asynchronous elements directed toward children ages 5-9 by activating families and out-of-school spaces such as libraries, museums, after-school programs, and community groups. The program will include conversations with sun scientists, classic science experiments, engineering projects, and maker education activities. The program is designed for use anytime, anywhere, and by anyone. The goal is to make the resources not just educational, but fun engaging, and inclusive so that even those that don’t think of themselves as someone who “knows science” can participate. The program will be free to participants and materials will be provided.
For additional context see my original Capstone Proposal.
Content and activities must be related to heliophysics and highlight natural phenomena related to solar activity.
Activities must demonstrate relevant concepts, provide the opportunity for hands-on experimentation, design, and exploration, and be fun and engaging for the target audience.
Content must be accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of previous experience with STEM.
The program should be designed to include as many children as possible within populations defined by both need and interest. A special effort should be made to invite and support participants from traditionally marginalized groups and from groups that traditionally do not have access to high-quality STEM education. Consideration should be given to those with disabilities as well so that anyone is able to participate.
The program must be provided in a way that the audience can participate anywhere, at any time from their homes or out-of-school spaces.
Target enrollment is for at least 100 families and 25 groups (of 25 children).
There must be a process to determine who will receive free supplies for the program and a plan to distribute those supplies.
The audience must be assessed at the end of the program in some manner to determine what positive outcomes, if any, resulted from participation.
People - Children ages 5-9 and their families, caregivers, and sibling are the primary audience. Educators teaching groups of children ages 5-9 in after-school programs, classrooms, libraries, and other community organizations or spaces are a secondary audience.
Time/Space - Synchronous activities must not run more than 45 minutes at a time, so that engagement stays high. Similarly, hands-on activities should take 30-45 minutes of active participation time. The program must run for 4-6 weeks and be completed before Thanksgiving. The program must be delivered virtually.
Budget - We have a budget of approximately $70,000 to cover staff hours, materials, shipping, publicity and promotion, freelancers (illustration, copy editing, subject matter experts, etc.), and other expenses.
Raw Materials - The cost of materials for the entire program may not cost more than $20/family or $100/ group of 25 in a classroom setting. Materials must be easy to source and safe for children ages 5-9 to use. Because kits will be shipped, materials must be safe to travel.
Tools/Machines – Because their program is being held asynchronously and online, tools must be inexpensive, common, and appropriate to and safe for children ages 5-9.
Energy - Participants will need electricity to participate in the program, specifically to access Zoom meetings and the instructional content on the Science Friday website.
Information – Information will be provided in video, audio, and written format. A special effort will be made to make the content as accessible as possible by providing closed captioning on video, including alt-text on all images and diagrams, using high-contrast colors in illustrations, and providing a translation of written materials in Spanish. All activities must be physically accessible (or adaptable) for any child. While activities can draw from previous projects, they cannot replicate those projects. All content must be original.