Over-arching Goals of SOFIA's outreach programs: – Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in communities across the U.S. and Germany – Support NASA and the DLR’s goals of inspiring the next generation of explorers. – Contribute to general public understanding of the value of scientific research. – Foster international visibility of the SOFIA program’s achievements and discoveries.

1. SOFIA’s Outreach Programs:
Partnerships on Earth and in the Sky
• Over-arching Goals:
– Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in communities
across the U.S. and Germany
– Support NASA and the DLR’s goals of inspiring the next generation of explorers.
– Contribute to general public understanding of the value of scientific research.
– Foster international visibility of the SOFIA program’s achievements and
discoveries.
D. E. Backman Page 1

2. Kuiper Airborne Observatory
FOSTER (Flight Opportunities for Science Teacher EnRichment) Program
FOSTER "
It’s 3 AM onboard the KAO! ...!
Flight Staff!
Mission Director!
Scientists
Reporter!
Teachers!
D. E. Backman

3. SOFIA — The Observatory
open cavity "
(door not shown)!
Educator work stations!
pressure bulkhead!
Scientist work stations, TELESCOPE!
telescope and instrument
control, etc.! scientific instrument (1 of 7)!
D. E. Backman

4. U.S. Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors 2011 continued
• U.S. AAA flights – May 26, June 1, June 3
M. Beard M. Blessing C. DeWolf
San Jose, CA Herdon, VA Remus, MI
K. J. Fredette T. Paulsen M. Piper
Palmdale, CA Mellen, WI Frankfort, IL
D. E. Backman Page 4

5. Deutsches SOFIA Institut
1x DSI – partner schools (29) & 1x DLR School-Labs (9)
German educator flight
July 15
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
Jörg Trebs
Thomas Mann Oberschule -
Dr. Wolfgang Vieser Berlin Reinickendorf
Christoph-Probst-Gymnasium,
Gilching @ Munich
D. E.Dörte Mehlert
Dr. Backman

6. SOFIA AAA Program in Full Operations (2014+)
Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors
Goal: Educators experience and understand the scientific research process
• Teams of 2-4 educators chosen via national calls for proposals
• Proposal judgment criteria:
– Quality of plans to enhance local STEM education and public outreach
– Geographic and demographic diversity
• Partnered with consenting research teams
• Trained to understand flight research project
• Involved in flight series w/ research partners
• Supported by SOFIA Outreach after flights to fulfill proposed projects
• Participants become a growing on-line support community
• 60+ educators per year (classroom teachers, science museum staff, etc.)
D. E. Backman Page 6

7. Deutsches SOFIA Institut
SOFIA <> Interdiciplinarity
Mechanic und structure of
SOFIA-Telescope
Spectroscopy
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
IR-Observations Astrobiology
Developing own materials with DSI support
D. E.Dörte Mehlert
Dr. Backman