JASON’s theory of science education is based on lighting the spark of inspiration through sustained connections with “great explorers and great events” in core curricula. The result is deeper student engagement, increased motivation, and higher achievement. Two well-known, factual examples illustrate the power of great explorers and great events to create this spark. The first was the October 1957 sighting of Sputnik by Homer Hickam, a West Virginia schoolboy whose future as a coal miner was preordained until he saw the satellite. Transformed, Hickam struck up a correspondence with scientist Werner von Braun, learned the requisite science and math virtually on his own, and overcame great obstacles on his path to becoming a NASA engineer. A similar spark was lighted nearly 30 years later, when Dr. Robert Ballard’s discovery of RMS Titanic generated 16,000 letters from students asking to join his next expedition. Understanding the power of the spark, Ballard wrote back to many of them and then founded JASON in 1989. These two episodes capture what was called “the October Sky Phenomenon,” because Sputnik’s remarkable impact on Homer’s life carries a set of principles that can be applied to education. For Homer, the spark—the event itself, the mentorship was completely random. If we can plainly see what excites and engages students, why not use this approach in core curricula? With National Geographic Society as the steward and NOAA, NASA, and the Department of Energy as partners, JASON can expose students to an endless supply of great explorers and great events, systematically on-demand.The JASON Project first came to Idaho in 1997 with a grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) through the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Today the JASON project is support through the State Department of Education in partnerships with districts. Join us this summer for a great JASON workshop and be introduced or continue on with these great real-time adventures brought to us through the vision of Robert Ballard.2010 SPRING WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, APRIL 10TH
Sage Valley Middle School
18070 Santa Ana Ave
Nampa, ID 83687
Infinite Potential
What is JASON?
