Space Science and Engineering Center University of Wisconsin-Madison

NOAA’s GOES-U satellite launched in late June as the fourth and final satellite in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites GOES-R Series. Now in geostationary orbit, GOES-U has been renamed GOES-19 and replace GOES-16.

Margaret Mooney, Education and Public Outreach Director at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, attended the launch, along with more than 20 teachers from 16 states and Puerto Rico, as part of the GOES-R Education Proving Ground. Mooney, who created the GOES teacher workshops said, “I had an idea for an education proving ground so that teachers would be able to work with and understand all the new satellite data coming in.”

The first workshop occurred in 2016, when 23 educators from around the US traveled to Cape Canaveral, Florida to see the launch of GOES-16 and learn about engaging students in STEM fields.

She says she is “quite happy” with how GOES-R Education Proving Ground has evolved since its inception in 2013, “The teachers are very excited to go to the Kennedy Space Center. It’s a really cool event.”

Meet the GOES-U Educators!

Nicole Burt, Director of Education at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center and alternative education teacher on the Greater Southern Tier BOCES campus in upstate New York

“The ability to integrate technology into the curriculum gives the content a new and fresh feeling along with keeping students engaged in what is happening in the world around them. In the museum we use our science on a sphere to educate children and adults on the ever-changing world around them. I love sharing my experience with my students. I work with a diverse population that are at risk of not achieving their high school diploma. I try to show them and talk to them about all of my adventures. I want them to understand that our world is bigger than the neighborhood they live in.”

“I am so excited to be able to increase knowledge of how the satellite data from equipment like the GOES get used in weather and environmental sciences, and share this new information with my classroom students, my museum students, and the adults that frequent the discovery center. The ability to integrate technology into the curriculum gives the content a new and fresh feeling along with keeping students engaged in what is happening in the world around them. In the museum we use our science on a sphere to educate children and adults on the ever-changing world around them including topics on climate change, environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and geography. This workshop will help to guide our program to a deeper understanding of where the data came from.

I love sharing my experience with my students. I work with a diverse population that are at risk of not achieving their high school diploma. I try to show them and talk to them about all of my adventures. I want them to understand that our world is bigger than the neighborhood they live in. I want them to start to strive to be more understanding of different places and cultures. I want them to want to experience the world around them and to value the beauty of the world we live in.”

Darlene Kehn, Averill Park High School in Averill Park, New York

“I teach elementary aged students about observing and navigating the night sky, planets, and stars, and it’s a blast! One of the things about NASA that is so impressive to me is when people’s life work comes to fruition.  My students and I have been following the OSIRIS-REx, Europa Clipper, and Artemis missions (to name a few) this past school year. I want to inspire my students to appreciate the connections between space and weather, and the engineering processes that goes into these missions.”

“I teach elementary aged students about observing and navigating the night sky, planets, and stars, and it’s a blast! I hope that this workshop will expand my knowledge of the connections between the atmosphere and space.  I also think it will be amazing to be in attendance to see the launch first hand and to share this experience with my students and coworkers.  I look forward to learning more about the satellite’s trip to space. 

I have been following the GOES-R satellites ever since I was a meteorology major in college. The improvements in remote sensing have been so fun to watch and I love utilizing the satellite imagery in my classroom.  My students and I check the regional and contiguous U.S. visible satellite daily during the weather unit and use it to identify fronts and how weather systems move.  We also love observing and tracking tropical systems during hurricane season – the visual resolution is so impressive and shows how powerful these storms are.  One of the things about NASA that is so impressive to me is when people’s life work comes to fruition. I hope that after this workshop, I will inspire my students to appreciate the connections between space, weather, and the engineering and design process that goes into these missions.” 

Elizabeth Torres-Rodríguez, Escuela José Julián Acosta in San Juan, Puerto Rico

“I live in Puerto Rico and the importance of this satellite is paramount to monitor the atmospheric systems that impact our tropical area. My students have used data from it to conduct tropical meteorological research.“

Vivo en Puerto Rico y la importancia de este satélite es primordial para monitorear los sistemas atmosféricos que impactan nuestra area tropical. Mis estudiantes ha utilizado datos del mismo para realizar investigaciónes meteorológicas tropicales.

Kevin Jacoves, Thompson Middle School in Middletown, New Jersey

“I hope to be able to create more authentic activities that allow students to explore real science, not just the ‘answers in the back of the book’ science.“

“I’ve always been a space buff. In 2009 I went to Space Camp for Educators on a Honeywell scholarship and have incorporated activities I learned there ever since. I hope to be able to create more authentic activities that allow students to explore real science, not just the ‘answers in the back of the book’ science. I have watched sounding rockets from Wallops via the internet and then stepped on my front lawn in New Jersey to see them climbing into the sky–to watch one up close and personal is honestly going to be life changing. Touring the Kennedy Space Center is a close second!”

Miranda Fritchman, Franklin County High School in Carnesville, Georgia

“I hope to introduce my students to both the older satellites in the series as well as this more recent version to help them see how the technology is evolving over time, as well as how satellite data can be used to make important observations and decisions regarding the Earth’s complex systems.“

“I was motivated to attend the launch and workshop due to my work as both a Physics teacher and as a Biology teacher to help bolster my current lessons that focus on our Ecology unit in Biology. From a Physics stand point, attending the launch itself will help me provide my students with examples of real world application of Physics. Students will be tasked with considering the Physics involved with both launching the satellite into orbit as well as the Physics considerations needed for both the satellite to maintain its position in orbit and also to collect the data required from it.

I am always eager to incorporate real time data into my lessons to help students understand how the environment and world around them may be changing over time and what impacts our own activities may be having on our planet. I am honored to have this chance to gain more information on this latest iteration of the GOES series. I hope to introduce my students to both the older satellites in the series as well as this more recent version to help them see how the technology is evolving over time, as well as how satellite data can be used to make important observations and decisions regarding the Earth’s complex systems.”

Kathryn Jeakle, Shorecrest Preparatory Middle School in St. Petersburg, Florida

“Students really struggle with the idea that we can get data from something that is revolving around Earth. I am hopeful that I will be able to better present to them what satellites are and how they work to collect data we can see on Earth. Watching a launch is a once in a lifetime opportunity.“

“I am currently teaching 8th grade Marine Science and we talk a lot about satellites and how they collect weather data. Students really struggle with the idea that we can get data from something that is revolving around Earth. I am hopeful that I will be able to better present to them what satellites are and how they work to collect data we can see on Earth.  The added possibility of watching a launch is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am excited to learn about the GOES-U satellite, what tools it has on it as well as how it works from space to send of data. 

I am also excited to see the launch. Living in Florida I have seen the trails in the sky after launches but have never been up front and in person for one.  I am also really excited I was able to invite 2 people.  My brother and dad will hopefully view it with me which will be a special moment for us.  My dad follows most of the launches online and has traveled to see them but never from one of the viewing areas.”

Marguerite Rousseau, Fulton Jr. High School in O’Fallon, Illinois

“Our space unit is my students’ favorite during the year and we always end with learning about rockets and using the engineering design process to build stomp rockets. I find that the more excited I am about a topic, then the students are also more excited.“

“I am very excited to attend the launch and workshop this year! Our space unit is my students’ favorite during the year and we always end with learning about rockets and using the engineering design process to build stomp rockets.  I have wanted to ramp up the lessons about rockets, and this workshop should help me to develop my understanding and background knowledge. I find that the more excited I am about a topic, then the students are also more excited.  If I have personal stories and pictures that I can share with the students, they are more likely to ask questions and see the event as something real and achievable.”

Mark Krippner, Sartell High School in Sartell, Minnesota

“Thinking about the mission of GOES-U, my classes often touch on a lot of these various meteorological and environmental aspects that GOES-U is going to monitor.  Most often my students take pride in keeping up with the real time happenings in earth science. I don’t turn all of my students into geologists and meteorologists, but I leave my students with an idea that there are careers out there for those with a passion.”

“Thinking about the mission of GOES-U, my classes often touch on a lot of these various meteorological and environmental aspects that GOES-U is going to monitor.  Most often my students take pride in keeping up with the real time happenings in earth science.

My goal for this conference is always twofold.  I am a lifelong learner and am always trying to better myself.  In turn, I bring this passion for the earth sciences back into my classroom where students get to see this crazy guy and how much he loves to share these stories and experiences with them.  I don’t turn all of my students into geologists and meteorologists, but I leave my students with an idea that there are careers out there for those with a passion.  I also think it is a bit motivating to have my students realize that their teacher has some experience with the real science that happens out in the real world versus their perceived lesser high school science.

I am just looking forward to the whole experience.  I am a huge weather nerd and so many things are coming together in this experience.  I am excited to share it with future generations.  Also, I have two little scientists (my boys) that are coming with me to the launch.  This will be something they remember forever.”

Luke Boughfman, JP Elder Middle School in Ft. Worth, Texas

“One of the biggest questions I get from students is “when I’m ever going to use this?” When you can show them real world examples it helps tremendously.“

“Anytime you can learn and make yourself better it will benefit you in life. I will be able to bring what I learn to help make more engaging lessons which helps students learn. This event will not only inspire my own children, who will be watching the launch with me, but I’ll also be able to inspire my students. We are very excited to see the launch!

One of the biggest questions I get from students is “when I’m ever going to use this?” When you can show them real world examples it helps tremendously. This year after the eclipse we used goes satellite image to show the eclipse going over Texas. This made a great connection with the kids to help understand how eclipses work. Getting to see the shadow of the moon helped them understand what was happening. Before I showed this many students still didn’t understand that the moon had blocked the sun’s light. After showing the satellite information they all understood what had happened.

Learning more real world activities to help make me a better teacher will be great. The thing I’m most excited is the people you meet end up helping learn at the workshop, and you continue to learn through them over the years (Also looking forward to telling students got to learn at NASA over the summer).”

Jessica Nicks, Beacon Hill Middle School in Decatur, Georgia

“I am interested in focusing on using the GOES-U satellite data in my resource class for students to develop their own research project. I love learning new things, so showing them an opportunity I took and how enthusiastic I am about what I have learned, models to them what being a lifelong learner is about.“

“Honestly, space and astronomy have always been a topic I feel least comfortable teaching. A lot of my professional development and endorsements have focused on life science and sustainability. I want to learn more, so I can teach it better. I want to be around people who are excited and interested in meteorology and space so I get excited and that enthusiasm transfers to my classroom and students. I had students come to me and ask me to sponsor a Meteorology Club at school about 3 years ago. I did it begrudgingly because they couldn’t find anyone else and I liked the kids.

Well, I ended up loving learning about meteorology and space along with them. I am interested in focusing on using the GOES-U satellite data in my resource class for students to develop their own research project. Every time I go to a conference with educators and specialists in a particular topic, I end up coming away excited and ready to teach my students what I learned. I love learning new things and I try to encourage this in my classroom. So showing them an opportunity I took and how enthusiastic I am about what I learned, models to them what being a lifelong learner is about.”

This work is supported by the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies and NOAA