August 2024

Space Workforce 2030 is an initiative to inspire, prepare and employ a skilled workforce that can support the dynamic and diverse needs of space missions for generations to come. At the Aldrin Family Foundation, we're proud supporters of this initiative to expand our space workforce, recognizing that preparing the next generation of space explorers starts with our educators.

Educators need the proper curriculum/programs in order to inspire curiosity in their students to pursue space careers. In particular, space programs that promote Career and Technical Education skills in their classroom can help boost employability in the space sector. CTE skills prepare students for the workforce and help them develop skills, technical knowledge and real-world experiences for successful careers. 

At the Aldrin Family Foundation, we take pride in our contribution to CTE through our S-Cubed program, a 2-year satellite program that immerses high school students in science and engineering as they design satellites. We encourage other organizations to join us in the Space Workforce 2030 initiative and set up the next generation of space explorers for success. Learn more about S-Cubed program here. 

Sincerely, 

As we navigate leadership changes at AFF, we remain committed to our mission of fueling educators with space curriculum and materials in the classroom to inspire the next generation of space explorers. In this newsletter, we will bid farewell to our departing team members and introduce a passionate new member who will continue to drive our mission forward. 

We are honored to announce Linh Quach as AFF’s new Chief Operating Officer. With extensive leadership experience across multiple institutions, Linh’s expertise aligns perfectly with our mission. Linh is also the Founder and Chief Impact Officer at Educare Impact, an organization that collaborates with K-12 educational programs to extend their reach to more children and families. She is passionate about providing accessible educational programs for the youth and leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of leaders. We are delighted to welcome Linh to our team, and we look forward to her innovative insights that she will bring to AFF.  

As we welcome a new team member, we will also embrace a leadership transition as our Chief Innovation Officer, Jim Christensen, retires. Since joining AFF in 2017, Jim has been dedicated to creating solutions for educational gaps and sharing space and STEAM activities with teachers from all over the world. He helped facilitate the creation of our Giant Mars Map™ and the latest refresh of our Giant Moon Map™, Rockets & Rover Summer Camp, teacher professional development training and multiple student activities like Home on the Moon. His dedication to integrating space into the classroom will forever be cherished, and we’re grateful for his commitment to our mission.

Dr. Quincie Moore, former Chief Operating Officer at the Aldrin Family Foundation, has moved on to be the Executive Director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. With over 35 years of experience in the education field, we are grateful for her contributions to the Foundation. Linh Quach has stepped into Dr. Moore's role as COO, and Dr. Moore is now the Advisory Board Chair of the Aldrin Family Foundation's Advisory Board Committee.

AFF partners with Texas and Florida public schools to host its Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp 

Recently, the Aldrin Family Foundation hosted its exciting Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp with multiple partners, including Uplift Education in Texas and Brevard and Orange County Public Schools in Florida. Students with Brevard County Public Schools also had a field trip to STARBASE Patrick Space Force Base where they experienced hands-on and minds-on STEM activities. 

During the Rockets & Rovers Summer Camps, students built and operated rovers, launched water bottle rockets and designed a settlement on the Moon to live in the lunar atmosphere. Throughout the two-week camp, students sharpened their practical knowledge of math and science and learned critical communication, collaboration and leadership skills. 

Educators from all over the world attend AFF's second annual Space Curriculum Collaborative

We are global! Our leadership team recently collaborated with industry professionals and STEAM organizations at education conferences around the U.S., UK and Hungary to discuss space education and highlight AFF resources that inspire next-generation space explorers. 

Space Education Summit (May 31, 2024)

Hungary Space Council (June 3 - 9, 2024)

RTC North STEMFest (July 2 - 4, 2024)

CONVERSATIONS WITH A TEACHER

Tamara Phillips has been an educator since 2007 and taught middle school science for sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Tamara also was a former Summer School Principal from Uplift Education in Dallas, TX. 

How have you worked with the Aldrin Family Foundation?   

I had the opportunity to work with AFF when they sent out a network-wide invite for educators wanting to participate in its Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp. Although I'm not in the classroom anymore, I was an assistant principal who loves science and wanted to participate. The Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp was offered to students who attended campuses nearby, so I had students from neighboring schools entering sixth or seventh grade. Overall, the students were inspired and loved the Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp.

Why do you think it's important to uplift the next generation of space explorers and STEAM leaders? 

There is so much more to learn and so much that we don't know. For example, I learned that technology was created to make space exploration easier and more compatible with human life at the Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp. The more we explore, the more we learn and improve life for ourselves on Earth.  

How do you think the AFF’s Rockets & Rovers Summer Camp inspired your students in space and STEAM? 

Standard curriculum doesn't dive deep into space-themes, so my students explored content they don’t typically get to learn. We implemented the scientific method when reviewing/collecting data and identifying trends, which flexed their math muscles. It was exciting to see the students and how they enjoyed the lessons. During the rocket activity, watching the students have the tenacity to improve and beat their previous distance by making tweaks because they wanted to get it right was inspiring. I was just in awe by how quickly the kids caught on and figured out the activities with multi-day lessons. 

What advice would you give to other teachers who want to find new and fun ways to engage their students in STEAM subjects?   

The advice I would give is to have as many labs as possible. Sometimes, teachers shy away from labs because it requires a lot of planning and trust in students to be safe and follow the rules, but labs are important and shouldn’t be avoided. Inquiry is also important. Make discoveries for your students to understand the science behind it. Lastly, allow your students to explore their own questions they want to answer and pursue their interests! 

CURRICULUM CORNER

At the Aldrin Family Foundation, summer is in full swing with our Rockets & Rovers Summer Camps across the U.S. Aside from prepping for the upcoming school year, here are some of our suggestions to add to your summer plans: 

Reflect on Your Teaching Year 

Reflect on the past school year and acknowledge your achievements. While you may also have faced challenges, having a plan in place to tackle these challenges can set you up for success. 

Learn Something New 

Summer is a great time for teachers to learn something new for the upcoming school year or develop a skill, such as learning words or phrases to support multilingual learners or gain professional development.  

Share Your Experience

How will you be spending your summer? We’d love to hear from you! Tag us on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X) and share your plans and suggestions with us and the K-12 educator community! 

CLASSROOM COUNSEL

We are excited to introduce a new segment to our Mission STEAM Newsletter called, “Classroom Counsel.” This section will share quotes and inspiration from the Aldrin Family Foundation team, Ambassadors and Advisory Council members with our fellow K-12 educators. 

Chief Innovation Officer Jim Christensen shares insightful advice for educators below:  

“Help students find pathways to be successful and set up circumstances for them to showcase their success to people that are the most important to them, such as their peers, teachers and parents. When they’re placed in situations where they feel confident, they’re encouraged to keep trying new things. Space is a great vehicle for this because it sparks high interest and engagement, allowing students to excel." 



SHOW US HOW YOU MAP!

Even the little ones can explore space! AFF’s Jim Christensen visited Gilbert Pre-School in Gilbert, Iowa to showcase the wonders of STEAM with preschoolers. During his visit, Jim sparked curiosity and engaged the preschool students by demonstrating our Giant Moon Map™ and facilitating a water rocket launch activity.   

Don’t forget to show us how you map! Send us photos of your students using one of our maps or use #GiantMarsMaps or #GiantMoonMaps and your school could get featured on our social media channels, website or right here in Mission STEAM!