Workshop Details
Purpose
We developed the Summer Workshop on Teaching Space (SWOTS) to: 1) offer an intensive short-course on the fundamentals of space; 2) introduce academics to new and innovative techniques to teach and conduct research about space; and 3) provide access to high-level government and private officials working in the space industry. The workshop seeks to not only acquaint participants with the current issues that dominate US space policy and much of the world’s attention (e.g., security, exploration, commercialization), but also promises examination into classic works on the subject.
Goals
The Summer Workshop on Teaching Space (SWOTS) is intended to provide four valuable services to those who participate in the workshop and to the larger community of space experts. First, the goal is to provide substantive knowledge on space, its challenges and its opportunities. The program seeks to provide individuals with information from multiple sources including high-level government officials and experts on the subject, as well as in-depth analysis of classic space studies.
Second, SWOTS plans to cover teaching-related issues such as the implementation of active learning techniques in the classroom. Active learning exercises, such as simulations, stimulate learning more than traditional types of lectures, and studies reveal higher retention rates of information using exercises. As a result, this workshop not only teaches its participants about space, but it also helps them to successfully teach courses on space. A good teacher and an informed person can be quite different individuals. We wish to produce "informed teachers" from our workshop. A good teacher captures students’ attention, engages them in such a way that they want to learn, and often gets them to learn without them even realizing it. Academics, in particular, who take part in our program will leave with a better understanding of space and its intricacies and will be armed with new teaching techniques and resources to relay their knowledge to their students.
Third, the program seeks to improve the quality of academic research in the field. As a result, the workshop introduces participants to past and present space research programs, as well as different approaches to the study of space.
Finally, we wish to strengthen the community of scholars who teach and perform research in the space field. Until recently, this was a small community, and the exclusiveness of the group created a natural bond. However, the number of people interested in space is expanding rapidly. As such, there is a need to provide greater levels of interaction to keep this growing community connected. We plan to bring together experts from different academic fields, public service, and private organizations to create connections that bridge those cleavages and improve our ability to understand space.
Eligibility
SWOTS is open to college-level faculty and advanced graduate students from all disciplines. Those at civilian institutions and in professional military education (PME) are welcome to apply. Non-US citizens are encouraged to submit applications as well, since all discussion will be held at the unclassified level, though please be aware that travel restrictions may limit our ability to invite participants from outside the US.
No previous knowledge or experience with space is necessary to attend SWOTS. However, we will prioritize inviting applicants with a desire to apply the knowledge they gain to their own professional development. In particular, we are interested in applicants who plan to develop or teach courses on space or who plan to conduct scholarly research on the subject.
Cost
This is a unit-funded TDY event. Participants are expected to fund their own travel and lodging through their home institution, although financial support may be available in limited cases.
A block of rooms has been reserved for participants at one of the local hotels (details will be given to those invited to attend).
In addition, participants will be responsible for their travel, meals, and incidentals.
Graduate Student Research Panel / Funding
This year, we offer current (or recent) graduate students an opportunity to attend SWOTS for the week and also present their current research project as part of a graduate student research panel. The panel will offer up to 4 students about 15 minutes each to present their research and then receive feedback from other SWOTS participants. Students selected for this panel will receive funding for their travel, lodging, and per diem for the week. If you are a current graduate student or recent graduate (after November 2021) who would like to be considered for the research panel, you must:
apply to SWOTS using the application form on this website.
send an additional email to Dr. Gregory Miller to express your interest in applying for the graduate student research panel. Your email must contain a 250-word abstract of your project and contact information for your academic advisor. You may present a completed class paper, an in-progress article, or a thesis/dissertation (the idea is to present something not yet published, but that you would like to publish in the future).
Schedule
Dates for the Summer 2022 workshop are 25-29 July.
All participants should arrive in at least one day prior to the start of the workshop (there will be a meet-and-greet the evening of the 24th).
Four sessions will be held each day Monday-Friday, beginning at 8:30am and ending around 4:30pm.
Participants will depart Montgomery no earlier than Friday evening (lodging is reserved through the 30th).
Sleeping/Eating Arrangements
As indicated above, participants will be responsible for providing most of their meals although there may be one or two sponsored events. Participants will all stay at a local hotel, within a short distance of both the meeting location and several local eateries.
For additional information, please see the FAQ or contact us with your questions.