Global Friendship Through Space

Application Form For Partner School Science Program

*** For Participating Schools in the U.S. during 2008 – 2009 school year ***

The Partner School Science Program (PSSP) connects teachers and students from different countries using NASA lesson plans to expand their knowledge of math, science and social studies. Collaborative research and hands-on science and math activities are intended to promote cross-cultural understanding and Global Friendship.

Program components include:

E-mailing (mandatory)
Students will be assigned e-pals in order to share NASA educational projects, cultures, ideas and experiences. The e-pal connection will facilitate long-term friendships built on a shared interest in space science and a respect for diverse cultures. Students will e-mail each other, send one another digital photos of PSSP projects, as well as mail each other letters via regular mail at least one time during the school year.
Studying NASA Digital Learning material (mandatory)
NASA-designed space education projects are offered online at the NASA website under the NASA Digital Learning Network. The study of the NASA topics will be conducted during regular school hours or as an after-school activity, depending on how the teacher chooses to work it within the curriculum.
Videoconferencing (mandatory)
Three-way videoconferencing between NASA and the two partner schools in different countries offer participants the opportunity to meet face to face and to personalize the partnerships in a meaningful way. Videoconferences enable students to see each other in real time live and have the opportunity to share their science projects with NASA and each other.
Attending E-Pal Week at Space Camp Turkey (recommended)
Program participants have the opportunity to meet their “e-pals” during a special six-day session in July at Space Camp Turkey called E-Pal Week. In this session, campers will also .At the camp they will have the opportunity to meet students from many countries and share their team projects promoting science education and global friendship. Three days of sightseeing are added for the U.S. students, giving them the opportunity to learn more about the people and history of Turkey further their understanding of different cultures. Campers will go on a tour of Izmir, a visit to Ephesus, a day trip to the seaside resort of Cesme, and, whenever possible, visit with their partner school families in Turkey.

Please provide the following information.

Application date:	__________________________________________
School Name:	__________________________________________
School Address:	__________________________________________
City, state, zip:	__________________________________________
School Phone:	__________________________________________
School fax:	__________________________________________
School website:	__________________________________________

Principal name:	__________________________________________
Principal phone:	__________________________________________
Principal email:	__________________________________________

Teacher name:	__________________________________________
Subject taught:	__________________________________________
Teacher email:	__________________________________________
Teacher cell phone:	__________________________________________
Teacher work phone:	__________________________________________
Teacher home phone:	__________________________________________
(Emergency only)

PSSP Class grade level:	__________________________________________
Anticipated school activity :	__________________________________________
After school activity or
part of school activity:	__________________________________________

COMMITMENTS

With the consent of their school administration, teachers of partner schools are required to commit to the following in order to participate in the Partner School Science Program. Please put a check mark next to each item to indicate your understanding of the program and to confirm your ability to fully participate.

Correspondence
_______	We agree to participate in the PSSP for one academic year.
_______	We meet all the technical requirements (1 computer for every 3 students, internet access, digital camera and/or scanner)
_______	We will assign our students to e-pals with whom they will correspond throughout the year.
_______	We will encourage frequent (minimum of twice a month) e-mailing between our students and their e-pals and monitor emails to prevent inappropriate content.
_______	We will exchange school calendars and holidays at the start of the school year to help schedule videoconferences.
_______	We agree to use the online NASA Digital Learning Network to choose and study topics offered at http://nasadln.nmsu.edu/dln/content/catalog/.
_______	We will complete a minimum of two NASA topics during the school year on NASA’s Digital Learning Network.

Videoconferencing
_______	We have access to a videoconference facility (at or outside our school).
_______	We will determine dates for videoconferencing with our partner school (NASA / JSC requests that dates and times be kept between the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Mondays through Fridays.)
_______	We will inform GFTSE staff about our proposed dates and time, 1.5 months in advance for GFTSE to register us with NASA.
_______	We will participate in at least two videoconferences, one with our partner school and one involving NASA as well.
_______	We will conduct our first videoconference (the “Meet and Greet Videoconference”) with our partner school to meet each other as early in the school year as possible.
_______	We will complete the lesson plans for each topic provided by the NASA Digital Learning Network to qualify for videoconferencing with NASA, and our partner school.
_______	We will present at least one (ideally both) of the NASA topics via a three-way videoconference with partner school and NASA.
_______	We will provide GFTSE staff our students’ questions to NASA two weeks in advance and prepare our students for the videoconference.
Documentation
_______	We will document our correspondence and keep a record of photos and testimonials from our students and teachers during the year and after attending E-Pal week.
_______	We will keep a record of our PSSP projects and post photos, progress and updates on the Global Friendship website.
Attending E-Pal Week
_______	We agree to make parents aware of the opportunity for their children to travel to Turkey in July to participate in E-Pal Week at Space Camp Turkey where they will get to know their e-pals and have a powerful cross-cultural experience.
_______	Those participating in E-Pal Week will bring in and share PSSP projects during a Science Fair at Space Camp Turkey.

__________________________
(Teacher’s name)

__________________________
(Teacher’s signature)

__________________________
(date)

__________________________
(Principal’s name)

__________________________
(Principal’s signature)

__________________________
(date)

Please fax this form to our office: (310) 573-4289. When you have faxed the completed forms and if you have any questions, please contact Tolga Yildirim via e-mail at tyildirim@gftse.org

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