On Tuesday, November 18 students from Kearney, Ord, and Pleasanton video conferenced with Senator Chuck Hagel.  This video conference was the first such connection to schools from the new Senate video conference center in Washington.

As this is a lame duck session and because Senator Hagel did not run for re-election, Senator Hagel is in his last months of legislative action.  Even as a lame duck senator, Senator Hagel said that the legislative action is heavy with emphasis on the economy and particularily solutions for the auto industry.

During a question and answer period, students touched upon topics such as equity versus efficiency, the impact of the bailout, specifics of the auto industry bailout, and would he be interested in being part of President-Elect Obama's cabinet (no comment).

Steve Cherry, social science instructor at Kearney Public Schools, was the initiator of the conference.

This is the second in a series of social science political based video conferences organized by Steve Cherry, social science instructor and hosted at Kearney High School.  In October, Representative Adrian Smith met with students from Amherst and North Platte.  Later in November, Mr. Cherry has made arrangements with Senator Hagel to present to students in Nebraska from his Washington office.

As new technology has been introduced into your schools, the opportunity for K-12 virtual field trips has increased.  Over the rest of this school year, each week I will highlight a virtual field trip opportunity along with directions on how you sign up for this experience.

This week's featured virtual field trip provider is NASA.  NASA can provide these virtual visits from any of their 10 NASA campus sites.  NASA does not charge for any of their virtual field trip presentations.

Virtual Field Trip Opportunities from NASA - By going to the following site - http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/catalog/- you can quickly do a search for programs based on grade level, subject matter, subject area, unit correlation, and even standards.

Featured NASA Programs - Recently I talked with the program director of NASA and he felt that three programs were especially good.  At the end of each description, I have included a web address that provides information about pre and post activities that go along with the lesson.  All of these programs can be adapted for the K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 grade levels.

Spacebots
Description: During this event, students will learn how NASA uses robotics technology to a great extent in its exploration of space. Participants will learn how NASA defines robotics, see how robotic systems are already widely used in the space program, and discover what plans there are for future robotic applications. Students will also have the opportunity to share their activity results with the NASA Education Specialist. - http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/catalog/details/?cid=53

The Solar System and Beyond
Description: What can you learn about objects in our solar system from watching the night sky, either with your own eyes or with a telescope? What do spacecraft tell us about worlds that are millions of miles away? This module will explore the solar system as seen from earth as well as from NASA space probes and telescopes. Students will be introduced to the different characteristics of the planets, to the history of our solar system, and to the variety of objects that orbit the sun. Emphasis is placed on the engineering challenges presented in obtaining data about objects with hostile environments that are moving through space at distances of millions of miles. - http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/catalog/details/?cid=577
    
A View from the Top: Looking at Earth from Space
Description: Many of us have seen photos of the Earth taken from the Space Shuttle and have marveled at their beautiful vistas. Such imagery will continue to be collected as the International Space Station becomes fully operational, providing a permanent platform for remote sensing. At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Earth scientists study images of Earth from geographic and scientific points of view, and their investigations reveal telling facts about our planet and its processes. NASA also collects data relating to climate change, weather events, pollution, and demographics using Earth Observation Satellites. Join NASA's Digital Learning Network as we work together to develop interpretive skills and learn how to look at space-based photography the same way Earth observation scientists do at NASA. - http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/catalog/details/?cid=633

Registering for a NASA Virtual Field Trip

1. For NASA field trips, you must first register to get an account. 
2. After you get an account, you can then register for a virtual field trip.
3. After registration is confirmed, NASA will request to do a test connection to insure that your connection will work. 
4. Prior to the virtual field trip, the teacher should prepare students by completing the pre conference activities.
5. If you have any questions regarding setting up your first field trip, please check with me as I will assist you in setting up, testing, and making the connection for your field trip.

At the Distance Education Workshop on October 13, each site in attendance received a Pinnacle Transfer Video recorder and other connecting cables.  Please comment on how this technology is working for you.

Because of the purchase of the Lifesize codec by your schools, many individuals have put their footprint on its implementation. Share how you have been involved in the use of the codec - classes taught, location of equipment, support for the equipment, etc.

Staging class presentations is an important part of adjusting to the new technology.  Share what has worked best for you or what you have witnessed by your teachers who send a class or when you students receive a class?

The Lifesize technology can be controlled from the remote level as well as the local site.  How have students been technically involved in operating the dl technology (on and off site)?

In addition to your camera, what other inputs have you implemented in support of your class?  Comment on success and failure of these inputs (camera, computer, doc cam, speakers, VCR, DVD player).

From a technical view, what issues have you had with the codec including mic?