On Saturday, February 8, 2003,  preservice teachers from the Teacher Preparation
Program at Alaska Pacific University joined educators from Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna School District to learn about the Alaska Challenger Center and
the Mars Mission they would complete in April. The pictures and text below identify
training activities and the fun they had...
 
 

It always helps to read directions....  and ask others if you have questions!

 

Finally! We are at the hands-on part. The volcano has erupted!

 

Everyone wants to help... The more hands, the better!

 

Cooool... Mark those flows correctly.

 

We are mountain builders-- YEAH!

The higher the mountain, the harder the work!

Do you see a pattern here???

Nice color combinations-- very delicate and precise construction.

The instructor approves and everyone is happy!

Here are your new instructions for the next set of exercises...

Robotics--- let me do it!                                       Say what???

Prayer or deep concentration, or a combination of both?

Everyone gets a chance to try every activity...

And partners change positions, as well!

Excitement and success are enjoyed by all!

Hmmm... Are you serious?

I know we can do it!                      You're touching what???

Let's see, if you....                           Well, the way I see it.......

Measurements must be precise and accurate... like this.

 

A blurrrr of activity followed by a quiet moment.

I'll watch-- do it like this.

Teacher and preservice teacher creativity abounds!!!

Patches to be proud of....

With much meaning, color...

and symbolism!

Back in the APU teaching methods classroom, preservice teachers write about their experiences in the training at at the Challenger Learning Center Alaska. This was the final evaluation after having completed the mission. I think they'd rather be in Kenai!!!

 
 
 

An ongoing project during the nine weeks between training and their actual mission, preservice teachers completed a KWL chart in groups of three or four. Here they proudly display their final results.

We have breadth.....                                                    Length is our strength.

 

We like ours just fine!                                             We have mixed emotions...

 

Let's see, there's more down here.                      And TADA-- there you have it!!!