The Canadian Space Agency and Alberta Education use video-conferencing to enhance science education Edmonton, Alberta, November 15, 2006 – Industry Canada and Alberta Education signed a four-year collaborative agreement to enhance science education through video-conference sessions with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). As a result of the agreement, Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 students will benefit from classroom sessions with CSA scientists and engineers, Alberta’s pre-service teachers will receive additional training in the area of science education, and the CSA will support Alberta Education as they conduct a three-year study on the overall impact of the CSA’s tele-learning workshops on science education in Alberta. "The Government of Canada, through the efforts of the Canadian Space Agency, is proud to be in a position to share our passion for discovery and scientific expertise with our country's youth," declared Rahim Jaffer, Member of Parliament for the Edmonton-Strathcona constituency, on behalf of the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency. "We firmly believe that the immersion of students in these hands-on workshops will spark an increased interest in science, math and technology among Canada's youth". “Alberta’s students and teachers are benefiting from unique learning opportunities thanks to our advanced investment in technology,” said Minister Zwozdesky. “These curriculum-focused virtual sessions will spark the imaginations of our students making science classes even more engaging and meaningful. Future students will also benefit as teacher-training sessions develop a legacy of knowledge that will be felt in the classroom for many years to come." The CSA tele-learning program, based in Longueuil, Quebec, provides educators with access to the CSA’s pool of over 60 scientists and engineers who offer dynamic and interactive workshops. They use space-related concepts to help students and educators explore and apply scientific principles. The CSA classroom programs, professional development sessions and research will be carried out by the CSA via video-conferencing. Alberta’s investment in the SuperNet and video-conferencing capacity across the province’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 system makes it possible for Alberta schools to be able to take advantage of the CSA’s unique programs and expertise which are delivered through high speed internet technology. Rahim Jaffer Member of Parliament for the the Edmonton-Strathcona constituency represented the Government of Canada at an event in Edmonton, Alberta today to celebrate the collaborative agreement.
BackgrounderSpace Awareness and Learning ProgramThe Space Awareness and Learning Program was established in 1995 and is mandated to increase the scientific literacy of youth, students and educators across Canada. Further, Program initiatives are meant to equip and encourage students to pursue higher education and eventually a career in the areas of science and technology in Canada. The program covers six areas of activity as follows: - Pedagogical resource development
- Distance and Telelearning workshops
- In-service and Pre-service Educator Professional Development
- Special Projects
- Youth Stakeholder Speakers Program
- Grants and Contributions Program
Pedagogical Resources
All resources are developed to meet the curricular requirements of educators and students at the elementary and secondary levels so that they can be integrated seamlessly into the classroom. Each resource provides students with information and opportunities to engage in hands-on and minds-on problem solving. Educators are provided with background information on the science concepts to be covered in the resource as well as the specific space context they can use to bring relevancy to the teaching of the science content. The majority of our resources are available via the CSA website at: www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/educators/default.asp Distance and Telelearning Workshops
As a function of this program the CSA uses interactive web applications, like Vclass as well as IP and ISDN Videoconferencing platforms to bring Canadian Space Program scientists, engineers and astronauts directly into the classroom to explore science and space concepts and engage in live, interactive and hands-on problem-solving opportunities with students and their teachers. The idea is not to replace the educator but to enhance and provide greater depth of learning while establishing a relationship between the education and science communities. More information about our distance learning workshops is available at: http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/educators/distance.asp Professional Development Program
This program provides educators across Canada with the opportunity to learn or refresh their knowledge of science concepts, become familiar with the space context, and learn how to use the latter to teach science effectively while encouraging students' interest in the topic. The CSA hosts an annual three-day Space Educator Conference at the headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency. CSA space scientists, engineers and astronauts host the workshops and keynote sessions. All of our speakers and presenters receive curriculum specific and presentation design and delivery training during a seven-month period prior to the conference. Other educator-focused workshops are provided on a request basis either on-site at the CSA or via videoconference in all regions of the country. Special Projects
Providing students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on space focused science learning which mirrors similar research taking place within the Canadian Space Program is imperative in developing a skilled and motivated student population. As such, the Canadian Space Agency develops collaborations with other government departments, post-secondary academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations and private sector organizations to offer unique learning experiences. The Tomatosphere Project is one such opportunity. More than 165,000 students in elementary and secondary school participate annually in this project which challenges them to become Canada's first generation of space farmers, horticulturalists and researchers committed to understanding the role of plants in supporting life off-planet. More information regarding this project is available at: http://www.tomatosphere.org/
Youth Stakeholders Speakers Program
Each year representatives of the Space Awareness and Learning Program as well as CSA Program representatives provide keynote presentations for literally thousands of adult stakeholders of the program focusing on space and science concepts, the use of technology in the classroom and pedagogical issues surrounding the integration of space content into the science curriculum. Space Awareness and Learning Grants and Contributions Program
Each year, the CSA offers financial support for not-for profit organizations, which are engaged in the development and delivery of Canadian space-focused learning programs, materials, and events for youth. Similarly, the agency offers subsidies annually to support students and educators at all levels wanting to participate in Canadian space-focused learning events, ranging from workshops and conferences to competitions. More detailed information regarding these programs is available at: http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/educators/grants.asp.
Education and Technology
Alberta is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in technology and its integration in the province's education system. The Government of Alberta has played a key role in establishing that leading-edge role, including the development of the SuperNet, which significantly supports the use of technology in schools. The Government of Alberta works collaboratively with schools, experts in the field of technology and other sectors to develop learning opportunities and resources to support classroom instruction. Among other initiatives, Alberta Education's investment in technology in Alberta's schools has included $3.78 million in 2005 to establish or enhance video-conference capacity in each school jurisdiction. To date, the Ministry of Education has invested about $12 million in video-conferencing supports and research. Alberta SuperNet is a broadband network linking approximately 4,200 government, health, library and education facilities in 429 communities across the province at affordable and sustainable costs to the Government of Alberta. Alberta's Science Curriculum
The Alberta science curriculum provides opportunity for students to become scientifically literate by exploring scientific concepts, developing science and ICT skills, and considering societal issues that arise with knowledge gained from science and advances in technology. The combination of science and technology demonstrated by the activities of The Canadian Space Agency connects well with the strong integration of technology in the Alberta's science curriculum. Science Achievement
Alberta's students continue to achieve strong results on provincial, national and international achievement tests. Alberta's students' continued success can be attributed to Alberta's high-quality, centralized curriculum, quality resources, effective provincial testing programs, and well-trained, dedicated teachers. Alberta's 13 and 16-year-old students demonstrated their scientific proficiency by outperforming other Canadian students in the most recent (2004) School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP) science assessment. Alberta was the only province whose SAIP results were significantly higher than the Canadian average Alberta's Teachers
The CSA/Alberta agreement will enhance Alberta's own teacher-training programs and strengthen the knowledge and skills of our Science teachers. By providing greater professional development in the area of science education, Alberta will be in a better position to produce an adequate supply of science teachers for our provincial classrooms. | 
