STEM-Sat, Using Cubesats in the pre-K to 12 STEM Curricula: A Resource Guide for Educators

This book is targeted to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educators and administrators. It is intended to show how Cubesats in particular, and Space topics in general can be applied to their STEM program. It is a train-the-trainer document, pointing out sources of information and support to the teaching professional who knows how to present the material at the appropriate level. The approach for space-related projects for STEM allows small working groups to focus on projects of their own choice and interest. This approach works because just about any interest can be accommodated in a space mission. It is anticipated that most Cubesat projects would not be focused on flight, but it is a possibility. The first K-8 Cubesat to be launched was from St. Thomas More School in Arlington, Virginia in July, 2016. It was named CathedralSat-1, and went to the International Space Station for deployment into orbit. It is still returning image data as of this writing. It will involve multi-semesters, with the data and project being handed down from one student group to another. This always drives home the value of good documentation. It is not impossible for a STEM project to get a flight opportunity. The launch costs are fairly large, but NASA itself and many aerospace corporations fund the launch of worthy projects. In addition, testing of Cubesat payloads can be done by medium and high altitude balloon, and by model rocketry. This book will also provide the educator pointers to the vast amount of applicable material that NASA has available and is freely given. From the material in this book, a pre-K-to-12 educator should be able to develop age- and grade-appropriate presentation material. I have no clue how to do that – my teaching experience has been with highly motivated senior undergraduate and graduate students. But, I do know the material. This will be an evolving document, as I can capture more “best practises” from existing STEM Cubesat Programs. This book will have a companion website for your feedback and questions, and for you to collaborate with similar projects.