Spotlight on Partners: NASA Educational Programs at Your Center

Information by State  Print version

Description:

Neighborhood Networks centers across the country are partnering with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to become part of the Imagine Mars Project. A national arts, sciences, and technology education initiative, the Imagine Mars Project teams students with scientists, engineers, artists, and civic leaders to design and share a futuristic Mars community. Through the experience, youth explore their home community and decide what cultural, scientific, and artistic elements are important to a community’s success. This session describes how Neighborhood Networks centers can partner with NASA to launch this unique educational experience for their center.

Presenters:

Rachel Evans
Resident Services Coordinator
Park Villas’ Learning Center
Phone: (619) 264-3208

Peter Kinser
Educator
Imagine Mars
NASA

Stephenie Lievense
Outreach Specialist
NASA
Phone: (818) 393-6729

Rachel Evans has served as the resident services coordinator of Park Villas’ Learning Center in National City, California for nearly three years. In this position, Ms. Evans has implemented educationally enriching programs for hundreds of youth and adults. Previously, Ms. Evans served as resident services coordinator for two sites operated by the San Diego Community Housing Corporation, implementing programs geared toward academic achievement, computer literacy, science skills, and social development. Ms. Evans attended the University of Southern California where she studied biology and journalism. She has published several articles on health and social awareness.

Peter D. Kinser joined the Imagine Mars Project team in 2006 after having worked in Texas public education for 14 years. Mr. Kinser’s experience as a fine arts educator rounds out the Imagine Mars Project and adds a new dimension to the team. Mr. Kinser also serves as artistic director for Seabrook, Texas’ Farpoint Theatre. Mr. Kinser holds a master of fine arts degree.

Stephenie Lievense has been a member of the Mars Public Engagement Team at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 2001. Ms. Lievense spent her first years at the lab working side by side with NASA scientists and engineers on various Mars missions to document scientific and engineering accomplishments. Currently, Ms. Lievense leads the Imagine Mars Project, a national art, science, and education initiative that invites students to explore and reflect on their communities, then create a project that reveals the art, science, and cultural elements they would like to see in a futuristic Martian community. Ms. Lievense is committed to providing role models for young women who are considering careers in science and engineering and has produced a series of Web casts titled, “Women Working on Mars.” These Web casts highlight female engineers and scientists who work on Mars missions. Ms. Lievense received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and her elementary education credential from California State University, Los Angeles.

	NASA Educational Programs at Your Center
	Welcome to Mars