iSpace Blasting into Hamilton County

[Image 2]iSPACE is an acronym that stands for interactive Science, Space, and Aeronautics Center for Education. iSPACE is a high tech educational facility designed to provide students within a 100 mile radius of Cincinnati with a unique and highly energized science and mathematics learning center. The purpose in creating iSPACE is to stimulate student interest in science, mathematics, and technology by offering our community educational opportunities that are not available in their school's curriculum.

The iSPACE Center will be centrally located in the Greater Cincinnati area. The actual facility will eventually include a minimum of 50,000 square feet divided into areas for instruction, displays, entertainment, offices, storage, concessions/gift shop, and utility use. The location will include ample area for parking school buses and other vehicles.

The iSPACE program offerings will be comprised of eleven distinct components that will be implemented in phases. Each component is operated as a separate entity. The focus will be primarily on educational activities. The components and target audience each would serve as follows:
EdVenture Lab - Students K-4

  • Challenger Learning Center (CLC) - Students 5-8
  • Aeronautics Educational Laboratory (AEL) - Students 9-12
  • Robotics Laboratory - Students K-12
  • Planetarium - Students K-12 and general community
  • Educational Computer Center - Students K-12
  • Professional Development Center - Educators/teachers in training
  • Student Inquiry Center - Students K-12
  • Career Center - Students K-12/Educators
  • Resource Center - Students K-12/Educators
  • Public Progarsm - General Community

The first phase of iSPACE will consist of a Challenger Learning Center (CLC) geared mainly to students in grades 5-8 as well as auxiliary components including a Robotics Lab, an Information Technology Lab, and a Student Inquiry Center that will be available to a wider grade range of students. The iSPACE committee has submitted a request for federal appropriations to help pay for the CLC simulator. The amount requested was $500,000. The Appropriations Committee is considering which items submitted will actually find their way into the budget. If you would like to see this funded, write, call or e-mail Senator Michael DeWine and his Director for Appropriations, Stan Skocki, and let them know you support this project. Their addresses are: Senator Michael DeWine, 140 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-2315. Stan Skocki (same address), 202-224-5892.

For more information, to share your expertise, or work on a committee, visit their website or e-mail Linda Neenan.  Or call 513-489-3767 or write them at: iSPACE, P.O. Box 46543, Cincinnati, OH 45246-0543.
Fall 2002
Professional Development for Teachers
Contests
Helpful Websites for Kids & Teachers
 Air Quality Education and Resources

Note from the Editor

Editor: Sue Magness, Education Specialist

Welcome back! For the past five years, I have been working very hard to provide you with quality environmental education resources: the type of materials and programs that you could easily "work into" your lesson plans. In the past couple of years, this has become increasingly difficult due to State and school district requirements.

This year the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services is adjusting our staff time to provide teachers with required materials. During the 2002-2003 school year, our time will be primarily devoted to professional development at the district level.

We are working with Kevin Stinson, Curriculum Manager of Science, Health, Physical Education, and Safe and Drug Free Schools for the Cincinnati Public School District and Sr. Miriam Kaeser, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent of Archdiocese of Cincinnati to offer workshops that are integrated into the required curriculum, kits, or environmental focus for many grade levels. Therefore, the District is offering a limited number of free classroom presentations about recycling and landfills, but a wide variety of classroom presentations and assemblies available at a discounted rate (see page 2 & 3).

If your school district is interested in incorporating local environmental issues into the required curriculum, please call me at (513) 946-7736 to set up a meeting with you and/or your administrator. Have a great school year! I look forward to working with you!