Casper Planetarium

Space Foundation Honors Wistisen
02.09.2012

In an effort to recognize and sustain quality teachers, the Space Foundation annually selects Teacher Liaison Officers to serve as active links between the Space Foundation, NASA, schools and school districts. Michele Wistisen from the Casper Planetarium was selected for this honored position. The 2012 flight of Teacher Liaison Officers consists of 20 individuals from across the world, including traditional and non-traditional educators from public and private schools and the aerospace industry. The highly regarded Teacher Liaison program, now in its ninth year, selects teachers who actively promote space and science education in the classroom and the community. The teachers who are chosen for this honor serve as advocates for space science education and conduits of information into their classrooms, schools and districts. These dedicated teachers have agreed to take on additional responsibilities in order to expand their own knowledge and, in turn, elevate the knowledge of their students. Teacher Liaisons undergo a rigorous selection process. Final selection is made by a panel consisting of an industry expert, current Teacher Liaisons and a Space Foundation representative. All educators who have a desire to further integrate space and science education into their curriculum are eligible to apply for this program. Those selected as Liaisons transition to full status after one year probation. To support their exemplary work, the Space Foundation supports Teacher Liaisons by recognizing them as advocates in promoting and improving space and science curricula in their schools. The remarkable educators are also given the opportunity to participate in specialized training and instruction at Space Foundation and NASA workshops and to acquire cutting-edge space science materials, standards-based lesson plans and NASA curriculum guides.
The Space Foundation has provided support systems and trained teachers for more than 25 years. Please contact Iain Probert, vice president – education, at (719) 576-8000 or IProbert@SpaceFoundation.org if you would like more information on the Teacher Liaison program or other education matters.