| Q |
Will the Endeavor program continue during the 2011-2012 academic year? |
| A |
Yes.
|
| |
| Q |
Hello, I am from Iowa. I was wondering what the "regionally accredited college" would be that the graduate credit would be from. |
| A |
The credits will be awarded from Adams State College in Colorado.
|
| |
| Q |
I have another commitment one day of the week. What days of the week are courses offered? |
| A |
Between 5-6 courses per semester are offered at various times. Endeavor Fellows register for the ones that serve their interests and fit best with their schedules.
|
| |
| Q |
My goal is to receive the STEM certification, experience NASA, and receive credits towards my graduate degree. Who are the accredited partners and what kind of credits can I receive with the courses you currently offer? Are those credits applicable to a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Science? |
| A |
Most of the graduate credits come from regionally-accredited Adams State College. In rare cases it is possible the credit can come from an in-state school. The credits are science education credits. Some colleges accept the courses toward graduate degrees and toward content requirements. This is handled on a case by case basis. Other opportunities that are developing will be announced over the next 6 months. To be clear, there is no STEM certification; this is simply a certificate of completion of 15 credits of coursework.
|
| |
| Q |
If I was selected for this program, it appears that you want the educator to take a sabbatical from teaching. Would salary be covered by this fellowship during this time? |
| A |
Sabbaticals may be appropriate but not at all required. The NASA Fellowship does not fund sabbaticals; this would need to be funded by your school district.
|
| |
| Q |
I am highly qualified to teach secondary science and only 10 credits away from being highly qualified to teach math. I do need course credits to renew my teaching certificate. In addition to the classes offered, could I take the required classes to become highly qualified in math? |
| A |
Possibly. The Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project focuses on the applications of science concepts utilizing technology. Although there are several Math and Engineering offerings and related pedagogical activities, science is the primary discipline at this time.
|
| |
| Q |
Is there a stipend with the Endeavor Fellowship? |
| A |
The NASA Endeavor Certificate Project includes all courses, fees materials and more. It includes all graduate credit. No additional stipend is provided.
|
| |
| Q |
What if I need more than 5 courses to be deemed highly qualified in my state? |
| A |
In cases where a state requires more than 15 graduate credits to achieve highly qualified or another alternative status, the Fellowship will include additional costs associated with an additional course or courses that may be necessary.
|
| |
| Q |
I participated in another NASA-sponsored initiative and received graduate credit. Will I be able to apply this toward the requirements of the Certificate in STEM? |
| A |
If you have successfully completed a course(s) in affiliation with the ESSEA (Earth System Science Education Alliance) program, one course will potentially apply toward the award of the STEM Certificate. Additionally, if you are a certified teacher of NASA-sponsored Project 3D-VIEW; NASA and NOAA-sponsored Signals of Spring -ACES; or NSF-sponsored SPRINTT, and you earned graduate credit for program implementation, you will be eligible to apply the course toward the completion of the NASA Fellowship requirements.
|
| |
| Q |
Should I complete the program, what degree will be conferred? Will finishing the program qualify me to receive a teaching certificate in all states? |
| A |
The NASA Endeavor Fellowship is not currently offered as a degree program. Fellows earn graduate credit from the Project's accredited partners. They also earn a certificate of completion from Teachers College. Columbia University for five or more courses depending on state requirements toward highly qualified status. The project is working with individual State Departments of Education with the intention that the Certificate may be applied toward state endorsements. Information on the progress will be forthcoming, although at this time completing the program does not imply that a teaching certificate will be granted.
|
| |
| Q |
Would you explain more about the live sessions? Are they by satellite, on a campus, internet feed, etc...? |
| A |
The live sessions all take place online. All one needs is a simple web browser (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox). The audio comes from the telephone; you will dial into a toll-free number. There is a non-live, or asynchronous component to the courses as well.
|
| |
| Q |
I am already state certified in Physics and Mathematics. I think this means that I am "highly qualified." What is the advantage to me doing this program? |
| A |
The Project lends itself to earning graduate credit, as well as perhaps additional endorsements in areas other than those in which you are already deemed highly qualified.
|
| |
| Q |
Are the NASA courses designated to fit within a specific science discipline (i.e. Phys 5xx or Biol 5xx, etc...)? Or, are the courses customized in such a fashion as to fit in many different boxes depending on the needs of the educator? Some K-12 educators looking to apply courses to the collegiate level need course identifiers for credentialing purposes. |
| A |
This type of discussion is currently taking place with various State Departments of Education. The courses that include NASA content blend content with pedagogy. Customization to the courses is essential to meet various needs of Endeavor Fellows.
|
| |
| Q |
I have a question about timing of the NASA Endeavor courses to mesh with my commitments to both coaching and other obligations. Can you shed light on this issue? |
| A |
Course live sessions (4-6 per course) are planned to run at 4:00pm and 9:00pm during the school year, and during the summers at times that include 10:00am, 4:00pm, 7:00pm, and/or 9:00pm. These are all Eastern Time.
|
| |
| Q |
Once accepted, Can you take more than 5 classes in 18 months? |
| A |
At this time, there are two ways Fellows will be encouraged to take additional courses. If a state requires more credit to earn another endorsement or be deemed highly-qualified, or, the credit for the courses can be put directly toward certification, the Fellows may take additional courses. Otherwise, programmatically, the program resources will be put toward allowing more educators into the program.
|
| |
| Q |
In a NASA release, workshops and on-site graduate courses are mentioned. Where would these take place and when? |
| A |
All courses for Endeavor Fellows are online. This initiative will begin in the future and specifically address a pre-service community of STEM educators.
|
| |
