Virginia Spaceport Authority Virtual Programs

Virginia Spaceport Authority’s (VSA) education team is excited to offer a free and interactive virtual program for schools and youth groups interested in learning about spaceports and topics related to space exploration. Using their laptops to access and follow along, participants engage with a live presentation through an interactive instructional platform called Nearpod. Instead of sitting through slides, participants will use Nearpod to manipulate 3D models, vote in polls, contribute to class collaborative boards, and do much more as they explore with a VSA educator.

How it Works

After you have submitted a virtual program request and received confirmation from VSA staff, a Microsoft Teams meeting link will be sent to your email. You may forward this link to other teachers joining your session. Please note that the minimum number of participants per session is 10, and the maximum is set for 70 (including both students and teachers).

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At the start of your scheduled program session, you will join the Teams meeting. Once you have entered the meeting, the VSA presenter will direct students to go to Nearpod’s “Join a Lesson” page on their device and enter a unique session code that is specific to your booking. No student or teacher Nearpod account is needed or required in order to participate in this program. Once everyone in your group has joined the session, the discovery begins!

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Technology Considerations

Participating in this virtual program requires that each participant has a device (or at least shares with a partner), has an internet connection, and access to the Nearpod website (no Nearpod account required).

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If you would like to test your district/network's ability to access the Nearpod website before your confirmed virtual engagement, a Nearpod demo lesson will be sent in the confirmation email, but you can request one in advance from

education@vaspace.org

Current Program Offerings

From Virginia to the Moon (30 minutes)

K-3rd Grade

What would it be like to launch from Virginia and travel to our closest neighbor in space, the Moon? Join us as we share the story of a Moon-bound mission that launched from Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS)! In this virtual program, your budding scientists will

• Learn about spaceports - a special facility designed to launch rockets

• Explore features on the Moon's surface

• Review how we view the Moon from Earth

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Explore Spaceports (60 minutes)

Scalable for upper elementary through high schoolgroups

Explore the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) from the comfort of your classroom! In this live program guided by a spaceport staffmember, you and your students will

· Reflect on space and why society relies on having access to it

· Discover the importance of spaceports - specialized facilities that serve as humanity’s access point to space

· Explore MARS, an active spaceport on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

· Consider spaceport career opportunities

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Submit a request

Please complete the following steps to request a virtual program activity with Virginia Spaceport Authority.

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1. View virtual program availability on the calendar.

2. Select an available time.

3. Complete and submit required information.

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Please note that submitting a program request is not a confirmation. A confirmation will be sent via email from VSA staff.

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Once confirmed, you will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation for your requested program date and time, as well as a test Nearpod lesson to explore.

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Disclaimer: Virtual programs are subject to cancellation due to changes in operations status, mission operations, and staff availability. VSA staff will communicate any changes to confirmed bookings as soon as possible.

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Launch with the Virginia Spaceport Authority

We're ready and equipped to handle a variety of launch services to ensure mission success for you and your team.