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Program Pedagogy
Space Voyage is "grounded" in multiple theories of education and psychology as well as in curriculum and instructional pedagogues. The authors below provide some of the foundation for Space Voyage and other educational adventures. An Educational Adventure (EA) immerses the learner in the skills and attitudes of a specific career area. EA programs inspire and empower learning and achievement, develop a sense of belonging within the group, and focus on the joy of learning while instilling the benefits of positive thinking during and after the program.
The educational model includes the following theoretical underpinnings:
* William Glasser's Control Theory, and Control Theory in the Classroom
* Carl Rogers' Freedom to Learn
* Paul Torrance's Rewarding Creative Behavior and Guiding Creative Talent
* Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
* Bruce Joyce and Marsha Weil's Models of Teaching
* Anthony Robins' Awakening the Giant Within (NLP) and Unlimited Power
* Charles Schmid's The Lind Method of Accelerated Learning
Space Voyage is best described as a simulation in which groups of students are immersed in the career cross-over skills involved in being an astronaut. During the half-day program, the students are invited to think and work "as if" they are astronauts, focusing on positive thinking, problem solving, communication, teamwork and pilot skills. A physical environment is created using wall murals, posters, computer work stations and hands-on investigations and experiments. A positive emotional environment is established and enhanced by the Space Voyage program leaders, creating the correct physical and emotional milieu for optimum learning and growth. In this setting, the program invites exploration and encourages proficiency, explains standards of achievement and expected norms of behavior, empowers individual and group achievement, and stresses the importance of group cohesion and tolerance for others.. The program leader instills the joy of learning and curiosity, focuses on technology to help solve problems, promotes persistence and perseverance in learning.
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