Senior selected for NASA Certificate Project

Jennifer Cole, a senior in Wichita State University's College of Education, has been selected for the NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project. Cole is one of 50 people accepted into the program.

As part of the program, Cole will take five graduate courses in an innovative online format. She’ll learn research-based strategies and cutting-edge STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) content to integrate into her own classroom.

“I am honored to have been selected for this program,” said Cole. “I can’t wait to take what I’m learning in my online classes and apply it in the school I’m student teaching in, and eventually to my own classroom.”

NASA experience

Cole has worked with NASA in the past. She was one of 27 students from around the United States to participate in the Pre-Service Teacher Institute this past summer, from July 11-23.

For information on her PSTI experience, visit http://bit.ly/hwLPLn.

Both the PSTI and the NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project emphasize STEM learning in the classroom. New hands-on methods make learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics fun and interesting for students.

“Jennifer’s selection to this NASA graduate program is a great accomplishment for her personally, and it validates the strong teacher preparation in math and science that she’s received from the WSU colleges of education and liberal arts and sciences,” said Sharon Iorio, dean of the College of Education.

Endeavor participants will be awarded a NASA Endeavor Certificate in STEM Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition, they will receive 15 graduate credits from other regionally accredited partners in higher education.

For more information on the NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project, visit http://www.us-satellite.net/endeavor/about.cfm.