;
Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
3
! Star birth and death
! Astrochemistry
! Probing distance nebula and intergalactic dust
! Black holes
As part of the SOFIA mission, education is greatly emphasized. Through
the Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (AAA) program, select educators from
around the country engage in professional development designed to improve
teaching methods and to inspire students. As part of the preparation, the
Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors complete a graduate credit astronomy
course and are partnered with professional astronomers to participate as the
scientists conduct research on board SOFIA. As the science instructor for the
New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, I was honored to be
the first teacher from New Mexico, and the only Teacher for the Visually
Impaired in the nation to be selected to the AAA program. In September
2015 my partner, Michael Shinabery, who is an educational specialist for the
New Mexico Museum of Space History, and I, traveled to NASA's Armstrong
Flight Research Center in Palmdale, CA for an indescribable week of
exploration and observing.
12