PSI senior education and communication specialists Sanlyn Buxner and Larry Lebofsky facilitated a three-day institute for educators of young children and elementary school students. The 2024 STEMAZing Institute The Moon, organized by Pima County Superintendent’s Office, provided educators an opportunity to learn more about the Moon and other objects in the Solar System as well as engaging ways to help young students learn more. The institute was centered around the recently published book The Moon, authored by PSI scientists Sanlyn Buxner, Pamela Gay, and Georgina Kramer, with contributions from Lebofsky. “We were so excited to partner with STEMAZing for this great opportunity to connect with educators from across the state,” Buxner said.
Each day, participants engaged in hands-on activities that helped them deepen their understanding of different topics. Included were activities about the size and scale of the Moon and Earth and the Solar System, cratering, Moon phases and eclipses, classification of objects in the Solar System, the history of lunar and Solar System exploration, exploring meteorites, and various literacy and art activities. All educators received a kit of materials for their classrooms worth more than $450 that included a meteorite kit for their classroom. The entire workshop was sponsored by Tucson Electric Power which supported the materials for teachers.
Teachers look closely at an “unknown” world as they learn about Solar System exploration. Credit: Larry Lebofsky.
Teachers examine meteorites and “meteorwrongs” during the workshop. Credit: Larry Lebofsky.
