Present PositionEducation & Outreach Specialist, SP Systems, Inc.In support of Beyond Einstein, HEASARC, Suzaku, and other Astrophysics Science Division EPO programs. Brief BioSara Mitchell is an Education and Outreach Specialist for the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Since 2003, she has supported a variety of formal education, informal education, and public outreach programs. Sara's educational background includes both astrophysics and communication, and working at Goddard provides her with a unique opportunity to apply her scientific, technical, and creative knowledge to initiatives including websites, booklets, videos, posters, and presentations. Her previous experiences include work with undergraduate physics curricula, summer K-12 student programs, and independent film and video.Educational BackgroundBachelor of Arts with Honors, English Language and Literature, 2002Degree focus in Film and Visual Studies University of Maryland, College Park, MD Research InterestsCurrent ProjectsAt Goddard, Sara serves as a "translator" between the ASD's scientists and engineers and EPO audiences -- teachers, students, and the public. She works with several missions and programs, contributing to materials such as booklets, posters, videos, CDs, and online resources. Sara provides support for educational and mission-related websites, such as Imagine the Universe and the Suzaku Learning Center. She is involved in the development and implementation of Student Hera, a package of software and activities that allows students to do real statistical analysis on X-ray satellite data. Sara also coproduced "Building the Coolest X-ray Satellite," an award-winning video about the Suzaku satellite mission, and coauthored the accompanying educator guide.Each year, Sara represents the ASD at regional and national education and scientific conventions, including National Science Teachers Association, National Teacher Training Institute, and Astronomical Society of the Pacific meetings. She has created workshops for educators, students, and EPO practitioners about the ASD's programs and materials. This portion of her work gives her a unique opportunity to interact directly with the end users of educational products and programs. Sara is also involved in the NASA Goddard Family Science Night program, a series of events held at the GSFC Visitor Center for middle-school students and their families. This unique out-of-school project harnesses the influence of parents and other family members on student achievement and career choices. In 2007, Sara took on an innovative new project: coordinating the monthly ASD podcast, Blueshift. This project explores the headlines, research, and talented staff of the ASD and shares these highlights with the public. Selected PublicationsPesnell, W. D., Drobnes, E., Mitchell, S., & Colina-Trujillo, M. 2007, American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts Family Science Night: Changing Perceptions One Family at a TimeLochner, J. C., Mitchell, S., & Keeney, P. 2006, Building the Coolest X-ray Satellite, NASA GSFC Lochner, J. C., Mitchell, S., & Pence, W. D. 2006, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society Hera: Using NASA Astronomy Data in the Classroom Krishnamurthi, A., Barbier, B., Mitchell, S., & Lochner, J. 2006, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society The Beyond Einstein Explorers' Program (BEEP) Getting Astronomers Involved in Afterschool Activities Mukai, K., Boyce, K., Lochner, J., Harrus, I., Jacob, B., & Mitchell, S. 2004, 35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly Astro-E2 education and public outreach program Barrett, P., Singh, K. P., & Mitchell, S. 1999, Annapolis Workshop on Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables The Soft X-Ray Luminosity Function of Polars
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A service of the
Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at
NASA's
GSFC
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