Space Foundation and The Gorman Foundation Return to Nebraska for Space in the Community Program
Space Foundation and The Gorman Foundation Return to Nebraska for Space in the Community Program
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — March 12, 2024 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem, and The Gorman Foundation are returning to Wahoo, Nebraska, on March 22-23, 2024, for Space in the Community (SITC).
SITC unites communities to inspire Pre-K-12 students through engaging science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) activities; empower teachers with professional development opportunities; and elevate communities through special events.
“Space Foundation and The Gorman Foundation are thrilled to be back in Wahoo, Nebraska, for another Space in the Community program at Wahoo Public Schools,” said Melissa Patton, Space Foundation vice president of education. “The positive impact our SITC programming has had on teachers, students and the entire community is truly heartening. Our goal is to continue impacting this and other regional communities by inspiring and educating through hands-on STEAM activities, fostering interest in the global space ecosystem, and ultimately contributing to local economic development.”
Space Foundation educators will visit Wahoo Public Schools to equip teachers with space –education-focused STEAM lesson plans and materials for seamless integration into their curriculum. Additionally, teachers will receive content to prepare students for the upcoming April 2024 total solar eclipse. During the visit, educators will participate in a novel teacher engagement method, where they will have the opportunity to co-teach with Space Foundation space education specialists and be provided feedback on space education teaching methods. This collaborative effort aims to enhance teachers’ confidence in implementing space-based STEAM approaches within their classrooms.
“It would be impossible to pass up an opportunity for our students and school community to engage with institutions like Space Foundation and its Center for Innovation and Education. The work they are doing to ignite the natural curiosity and passion of young learners aligns well with our mission – inspiring our students to thrive,” said Dr. Josh Snyder, director of learning, Wahoo Public Schools. “I believe humans are naturally inquisitive about the world around them, and the Space in the Community program will provide a variety of hands-on activities for them to further explore science, technology, engineering, art and math both within and outside our classroom walls. We hope this partnership and these hands-on opportunities will spark those natural curiosities within the members of our community!”
“We are a people of natural curiosity, pioneers at heart, explorers and creators. SITC engages this and provides the perfect framework to give teachers the tools to inspire students to embrace STEAM education and become our future problem-solvers to tackle the challenges we face, whether it is energy, the environment, farming or medicine. It also provides a spark for the community and students alike to broaden their horizons to include space – the final frontier. I believe we are meant to be a spacefaring civilization, a ’star people.’ So, while we’re solving the problems here on Earth, let’s make that a reality,” said Jim Gorman, president and chairman of The Gorman Foundation.
In 2021, the Gorman Foundation initiated its support for Space Foundation, driven by the active engagement of James W. Gorman III, the current Chairman of the Board. Gorman, who had developed a deep personal interest in Space Foundation since 2014, particularly its emphasis on space exploration and STEAM education, played a pivotal role. Through close collaboration with Space Foundation and the Wahoo Public Schools Foundation, The Gorman Foundation has been instrumental in bringing the Space in the Community program to rural areas.
As part of the SITC program, there will be a community day Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Wahoo Public Schools gymnasium. Community members will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities with Tello drones, Sphero robots, BeeBots, and a variety of other STEAM lessons. Additionally, the Branched Oak Observatory will be bringing a hands-on meteorite display and solar telescopes (weather permitting). Attendees will receive solar glasses for the eclipse and participate in activities such as crafting sundials and using planispheres to explore the night sky. The event is free and open to the entire Wahoo community.
For more information on the Space in the Community program and to get involved, visit discoverspace.org/space-in-the-community.
About Space in the Community
Space in the Community is an initiative of Space Foundation’s Center for Innovation and Education to help regional communities encourage students to become lifelong learners and pursue studies in the global space ecosystem and, in turn, build a local workforce to strengthen economic development. Through partnerships, Space Foundation hosts events that inspire students, families, teachers and caregivers with role models from space exploration and space-to-Earth industries as well as hands-on activities.
About Center for Innovation and Education
Center for Innovation and Education is a lifelong learning provider for the global space ecosystem, offering workforce development and economic opportunity via Space Commerce Institute and Space Foundation Discovery Center. Serving pre-K-12 and university students, teachers, entrepreneurs, businesses and professionals, programs and resources are delivered in person or online around the globe. Through its Workforce Development Roadmap of programs and resources, Center for Innovation and Education enhances the outlook and opportunities for careers, jobs and business ventures. To learn more about Center for Innovation and Education, visit www.spacefoundation.org/cie, and for more information on Space Foundation Discovery Center, visit www.discoverspace.org.
About Space Foundation
Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation unites the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
About The Gorman Foundation
The Gorman Foundation was established in 1997 with the initial funding provided by James W. Gorman, Jr. and his wife, Rowena Cain Gorman. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the Foundation supports qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations which provide funding for programs primarily in the areas of education, medical research, health care and children’s services. These programs have included cancer and other biomedical research, university and hospital capital campaigns for facility construction, an endowed chair in pediatric cardiac surgery, and support for establishing university medical and other graduate programs to expand opportunities for students.
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Tags: Space Foundation, Center for Innovation and Education, The Gorman Foundation, Space in the Community, community festival, Wahoo Public Schools, The Branched Oak Observatory, Wahoo, Nebraska, STEAM, STEM education, space exploration, space industry, space ecosystem, lifelong learning, economic development, space-to-Earth industries, teacher development, economic development
Media Contacts:
Rich Cooper
Vice President, Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation
(202) 596-0714
[email protected]
Dottie O’Rourke
TECHMarket Communications
(650) 344-1260
[email protected]
Jim Gorman
President and Chairman
The Gorman Foundation
[email protected]