Educator Responsibilities

Facilitation of Online Coursework

The Master Teacher will facilitate the VASTS online coursework for twenty (20) scholars in preparation for the potential participation in the Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) in Hampton, VA. The purpose of the VASTS program is to provide online coursework for the students to acquire knowledge of NASA, space exploration, and key STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills. The top 120 performing scholars from across Virginia who successfully complete the coursework will attend a seven-day, residential program in which they will undertake a teamed-aerospace mission design project at LaRC. The objective of the VASTS coursework and Summer Academy is to create a pipeline to STEM-related higher education studies and aerospace-related fields by providing relevant content and experiences on aspects of designing and conducting a human mission to Mars. Students will be exposed to NASA scientists, technologists, mathematicians, and engineers who serve as career role models. Master Teachers for the Summer Academies will be chosen from instructors facilitating the online coursework. Master Teachers report to Amber Agee-DeHart, Program Manager, VASTS – Virginia Space Grant Consortium.

Master Teacher Stipend:

  • $2500 for online course content grading and forum participation

Period of Performance:

  • December 4, 2009 – June 13, 2010

Responsibilities:

  • Grade modules submitted by the scholars bi-weekly and final project using prescribed performance rubrics
  • Provide personalized and timely feedback (within one week of submission) of assignments using the Moodle online coursework management website. Input grades into the system. Include comments regarding exemplary work and areas that need improvement when necessary. Provide examples of how work could be improved.
  • Monitor scholar’ performance, quality of assignments, online posts, and replies within the discussion forums. Contact students individually as needed. Send Amber Agee-DeHart copies of correspondence via email.
  • Ensure online discussions are appropriate and topic-relevant. Address students individually through email if breach of online etiquette occurs. Send Amber Agee-DeHart copies of such correspondence via email.
  • Maintain performance data and tracking of student performance using the online system. Send Amber Agee-DeHart a bi-weekly report (spreadsheet) on students who are falling behind on assignments and noting the follow-up taken.
  • Correspond with VASTS scholars and NASA mentors through online discussion forums, synchronous chat sessions, and email through the Moodle site.

VASTS Coursework Training:

A mandatory training session will be held at Virginia Space Grant Consortium in Hampton, VA on December 4, 2009 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Travel:

Travel for the training session will be reimbursed and lodging with meal allowance provided, if needed, for teachers living outside a 50-mile radius from Virginia Space Grant Consortium. Compensation rate is $0.55 per mile. Lunch will be provided during the training session.