It's Not Rocket Science (A Hands-On Session)
In order for us to advance in space exploration, we need to be promoting space education. Often, children (and many adults) feel disconnected from learning about space as it seems too complex. We should be focusing on how to simplify the science so it is relatable to all. Rocket science shouldn’t be something that only few aspire to and even fewer attain - it should be for everyone, especially our young minds.
Additionally, adapting any sort of space curriculum and learning concepts are often quickly dismissed or shut down because of the assumption that materials and resources are expensive and very high-tech. Students can (and should) be introduced to space concepts through play and low-tech materials like cardboard and simple pencil and paper.
In this hands-on session, you will learn how to build a paper rocket while using your fingers' power to propel it. The only requirement for this session is to be open to your own creativity. At the end of the session you'll understand how to use low-technology, paper, to explain high-technology and rockets. You'll also learn the importance of project-based learning and why it is key to use it in our classrooms to create the next generation of explorers.
Cristina Paredes-Murrell began working within the field of education over 10 years ago, in her home country of Ecuador. She has founded and led an educational company called Teachers Who TECH, in which she provided K-12 teacher professional development, STEAM programs/camps for students, and curriculum alignment across public and private schools and with various non-profit organizations in the USA, Ecuador and China. Cristina also worked at a private bilingual British-Chinese school in China as Head of Technology, where she developed and taught a technology curriculum for over 700 students from first to tenth grade. Cristina’s passion about space exploration has opened new opportunities for her. In 2020, she started collaborating with the Mars Scholar Project in China creating space related e-learning projects which led her to be part of the founding team of MarsU, an academic and research organization focused on Mars exploration and settlement. Currently, Cristina's is in the design phase of an all-girls school focused on space exploration and is planning to open this school in 2023. The name of the school is Future of Exploration or f(x).