The ERC at the NASA IV&V Facility, through a grant with Fairmont State University, provides resources and training opportunities that will have a significant educational impact in the classroom. The ERC provides in-service, pre-service, and informal educators with an easily accessible source of materials that reflect NASA’s current research and technology. These materials relate to curriculum areas such as Human Exploration, Development of Space, Earth Science, Space Science, Aerospace Technology, and Biological and Physical Research.
Educational Publications and Products Educators are encouraged to visit the ERC located conveniently at exit 132 off I-79 in Fairmont, WV, to explore the many NASA educational publications available for FREE including: posters, lithographs, curriculum guides, briefs, educational activities, videos, CD’s, DVD’s, Podcasts, and more.
Teacher Workshops The ERC staff provides FREE workshops for educators on a variety of topics to supplement the curriculum and help meet national and state standards. Topics include Aeronautics, Astronomy, Engineering Design Challenges, Mars, Moon Rocks and Meteorites, Planetary Geology, Podcasting, Rocketry, Robotics, or any NASA educational product. The ERC is also the WV Partner for The GLOBE Program and provides teacher certification workshops in the areas of Hydrology, Soils, Atmosphere, Land Cover, and Seasons, as well as training in Global Positioning System (GPS), remote sensing, and the latest Geographic Information System (GIS) tools.
Educational Equipment and Classroom Kits The ERC provides FREE training on educational equipment and classroom kits including:
STARLAB Portable Planetarium, GPS, Kindernauts,
GLOBE Protocol Kits (hydrology, soil, surface temperature, etc.),
NEED Program Energy Kits (Science of Energy, Kid Wind, Solar, H2 Educate and Fuel-Cell Cars), Video iPod preloaded with
NASA Podcasts,
Mars THEMIS planetary geology, Making the Invisible Detectible, Robotics kits (
LEGO NXT),
Engineering Design Challenges (Thermal Protection System, Launch Platforms),
Echo the Bat, Rocketry (Soda Bottle, Air, and Estes Rockets, and
RockSim software),
Pasco GLX Probeware and My World GIS, and much more.
Activity Calendar To keep West Virginia educators aware of our many opportunities, the ERC publishes an
Annual Calendar and maintains an
online Activity Calendar (external site) that displays all ERC training, conferences, and events.
Newsletters Learn about upcoming workshops, new additions to the equipment loan program, NASA careers, the latest educational products, and much more.
August 2008 Edition Contact Us To request a teacher workshop, equipment loan, or for information on the use of NASA educational publications and products, contact us
by email or by phone at: 304-367-8438.
Workshop Evaluation