| 2009-2010 IzmirLB "Partner Schools Science Program" | 
| Partner Schools Science Program Background |  In Summer 2006, seven Washington Middle School eighth-graders embarked on an overseas journey to attend Space Camp Turkey in the city of Izmir. The trip marked the second year Long Beach students were awarded scholarships from Global Friendship Through Space Education (GFTSE) to attend the one-week summer camp in Izmir, Turkey which aims to expand students’ knowledge of math and science and promote cross-cultural understanding through collaborative research and hands-on activities.In preparation for their overseas adventure, the students and their teachers used e-mail and videoconferencing to converse with students of the same age from Gelisim College in Izmir about space-related technologies, as well as what their lives are like in their home countries. During their week at Space Camp Turkey, the students met students from Gelisim College and other countries, shared their cultures, developed friendships formed through a common interest in science. They built and launched rockets, experienced flight simulation, and conducted their own space missions. The trip enabled Long Beach students to experience international awareness, exposure to new cultures from many participating nations and peace amongst all people, all while learning about space and science. | Great Cause and Even Greater Outcome |   Izmir became an official sister city to Long Beach in December 2005. Evenbefore IzmirLB’s formation, GFTSE sponsored student groups from LBUSD to visit the Space Camp Turkey in Izmir. The overseas journey increased students’ knowledge of science through hands-on research and collaborative activities and broadened their horizon regarding crosscultural understanding.
Although very fruitful, the one time success took lots of selfless effort and significant cash contributions from the families and community at large. John Morris of Smooth’s Sports Grille offered the venue for a major fundraising event. The students, parents and teachers conducted several other fundraising activities throughout the year to earn the needed $23,000 for airfare and other expenses. Over 150 Long Beach businesses and individuals donated auction items. The school staff, Turkish-American community members from all parts of Southern California and Long Beach residents participated; all for a great cause and even greater outcome. All involved teachers and parents attest that the trip participants have remarkably improved approach to school as a result of the eye opening experience of making new friends with youth from other cultures, all facilitated by the visit to the Space Camp Turkey in Izmir. | LBUSD's Goals and Objectives |  Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) gives great importance to science education. In order to meet the science and math instructional needs of LBUSD teachers, the district operates a Science/Math Resource Center (SMRC). The Center’s cost effective system loans materials and equipmentto teachers of all K-12 schools in the district.
 California State University Long Beach (CSULB) partnered with the LBUSD, working with nearly 4,000 sixth graders at 13 area middle schools to boost their college readiness through Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program. CSULB supports the LBUSD's goals and objectives by lending its faculty and students to support the instructional mission of the district.
Great results are evident. MESA participants from the California Academyof Mathematics and Science beat teams from throughout the nation to earn second place in the National Engineering Design Competition. Of the students who participate in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program, over 90 percent enroll in college. | Global Friendship Through Space Education |   Global Friendship Through Space Education (GFTSE) is a California-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Mary and Kaya Tuncer. It is dedicated to promoting friendship among young people from different countries and cultures through the study of space-related science and technology. The goal of GFTSE is accomplished through a variety of programs including the Partner Schools Science Program.
GFTSE believes that bringing young people from a variety of cultures andnationalities together through the study of space-related science willfoster understanding, tolerance and friendship. | Partner Schools Science Program in Support of LBUSD Goals |  Global Friendship Through Space Education (GFTSE) sponsored Partner Schools Science Program (PSSP) deserves a long-term, ongoing and sustainable approach for the benefit of the students in both sister cities, Izmir and Long Beach. IzmirLB pledges full support for the Partner School Science Program. Founder and Chairman of Izmir-Long Beach Sister Cities Association Dennis Aytekin took action by bringing all involved parties together to develop a long term exchange program between the LBUSD and schools of Izmir.
In Spring 2009, a series of meetings were conducted with LBUSD administration. Meetings with LBUSD Science Curriculum Leader Eric Brundin, Science Teacher of Lindsey Middle School Adrienne Sandstedt and , Founder of GFTSE Mary Tuncer resulted in the development of a comprehensive exchange program. | IzmirLB’s Exchange Program Proposal | 
Development of a year-long pilot Partner Schools Science Program between a LBUSD middle school and its select counterpart in Izmir, Turkey - the selection on Izmir side is due to the English language constraint as common communication platform.Selection of a curricular learning project from NASA Digital Learning Network program to be thought jointly in the Lindsey Middle school and its counter part in Izmir, Turkey during the course of the PSSP pilot year.Setting up of three-way videoconferencing between Lindsey Middle school, its counter part in Izmir, Turkey and NASA, with Space Camp Turkey being the videoconferencing facilitator for the Izmir school.Facilitating the first of the regular annual visit of Space Camp Turkey by most successful Long Beach students after completion of the pilot year in Summer 2010.Making the PSSP participation available to all LBUSD middle schoolsafter successful completion of the pilot year. | Main Components of Partner Schools Science Program | PSSP has five main components: - ePALS SchoolMail exchange platform is a school-safe e-mail and blog tool which is used by schools around the globe. Besides providing a deep learning environment through collaborative learning projects, ePALS facilitate students on both sides to make personal acquintences and learn about each other.
 Working with partner schools on space-related science projects provided by NASA Digital Learning Network (NASA DLN). All topic related instructional resources are available online.- Three-way videoconferencing between partner schools and NASA experts on mutually selected space-related science projects provided by NASA DLN.
- Exchanging gift packages between partner school students, whereby chosen artifacts and things are to be representative of everyday life on both sides and facilitate students to learn more about each other.
- Meeting “E-Pals” in person at Space Camp Turkey in Izmir in Summer after completion of the PSSP year.
 The IzmirLB PSSP proposal has been presented to Lindsey Middle School Principal Stephanie Dunn who introduced the proposal to Dr. Gwen Mathews, the Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools and Chris Steinhauser, the Superintendent of all Long Beach Schools. All parties agreed to the program and approved the start of the pilot program to launch in October 2009.
LBUSD Pilot PSSP partner: Perry Lindsey International Studies Magnet
5075 Daisy Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805
Website
Perry Lindsey was the first African American principal in the Long Beach Unified School District. He also served as a Tuskegee airman in WWII. Lindsey has been awarded a three year International Baccalaureate Magnet Assistance Program grant for Global Studies. This grant enables Lindsey to apply for International Baccalaureate status at the end of the third year of study. The International Baccalaureate Organization recognizes schools that provide programs designed to promote inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people. PSSP Coordinator at Lindsey:
Adrienne Sandstedt, Science & MESA Teacher
E-mail
Phone: (562) 423-6451 Izmir Pilot PSSP partner:
SEV Izmir American College
Inonu Caddesi No. 476, 35290 Goztepe, Izmir / Turkey
WebsiteFounded in 1878 in the city of Izmir, then known as Symrna, SEV is the oldest private school in Izmir. Founded as "Amercan Collegiate Institute," it has served as kindergarten, girls’ school, boys’ elementary school, and is now a co-educational school. Since its founding, ACI has met both the high Turkish national education standards as well as international education standards and was accredited by ECIS (European Council of International Schools) in 1994 and fully reaccredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) in 2003. SEV continues to inspire its students with the ideals expressed in its motto, “Enter to Learn; Depart to Serve.” PSSP Coordinator at SEV School, Izmit, Turkey (formerly known as ACI):
Seran Dumlu
E-mail
Phone: +90–232–285–3401 | PSSP Pilot Year Learning Project |  "Return to the Moon Challenge" (NASA DLN)
The Apollo program was the focus of U.S. efforts in space for the years 1967-1972. During those years, six missions landed on the moon. Although landing on the moon looked effortless, many men and women worked for years on designing the spacecraft and choosing the appropriate landing site, amongother things. We will be returning to the moon in the coming years, this time to stay. What are the design requirements and criteria needed for a 30-day Lunar Base Habitat? Where would be the safest yet best scientific location to establish a permanent presence on the Moon?Students will look back at America's national effort to land a man on the Moon. From this historical reference point, students will be given a Challenge to design a new Lunar Base Habitat and justify the best geographic location for a base on the moon that parallels NASA's vision and mission for a Return to the Moon Mission! Hosting NASA DLN Center:
Johnson Space Center
2101 NASA Parkway # 1, Houston, TX 77058
Website
Johnson Space Center’s interactive Digital Learning Network™ programs allow students to learn more about our home planet and the universe beyond through video-conferencing and Web casts in live events featuring NASA experts and education specialists. NASA DLN Johnson Space Center Coordinator:
Ryan Schaffer, Education Specialist
E-mail
Phone: (281) 483-2817 | PSSP Pilot Year Videoconference Partners | Participation in the NASA DLN events is possible primarily throughinteractive videoconferencing. Videoconference provides real-time, two-way(or three-way like in our pilot PSSP case) audio/video connectivity viacompatible hardware and software on both ends.  Videoconference facility in Southern California:
Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)
Educational Technologies Network (ETN)
9300 Imperial Hwy. Downey , CA 90242
Website
Educational Technologies Network maintains two rooms in the Education Center Building that are dedicated to multimedia meetings (Video & Web Conferencing). LACOE Videoconference Coordinator:
Thomas Dunlap, Manager, Multimedia Facilities
E-mail
Phone: (562) 401-5595
Justin Waller, Educational Technologies Network Tehchnician
E-mail
Phone: (562) 401-5503  Videoconference facility Partner in Izmir, Turkey:
Space Camp Turkey, Aegean Free Zone
Space Camp Turkey 35410, Gaziemir, Izmir / Turkey
Website
Space Camp Turkey is recognized as a science institution by the Turkish Ministry of Education. It is also licensed with the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Space Camp Turkey is a member of the following school organizations:NESA - Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools
CEESA - Central and Eastern European Schools Association
ECIS - European Council of International Schools
EARCOS - East Asia Regional Council of Overseas School Space Camp Turkey Project Coordinator
Tolga Yildirim, PSSP Manager
E-mail
Phone: +90-232-252-3500
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