AMSAT announces Director of Education

AMSAT is very pleased to announce that Dr. H. Paul Shuch, N6TX, has agreed to accept the position of Director of Education.

Paul, who received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, brings to the AMSAT External Relations Team an extensive background in teaching, curriculum development, communications, and engineering.

Paul's highest priority as Director of Education will be integrated curriculum development at all levels (K through PhD), with emphasis on using satellites in the classroom, to enhance the teaching of science, math, geography, social studies, technology, and the social sciences.

Paul explained, "I will invite all teachers within AMSAT to share with me their current, past, or planned use of satellites in the classroom, their instructional materials, and their desires in terms of future curricular development."

One area in which AMSAT already has a rich history of educational activities is human spaceflight, most recently through the ARISS Program. Paul states, "I would not presume to modify these existing programs in any way. However, ARISS contacts should not be an end unto themselves." ARISS generates a great deal of enthusiasm, leading up to a contact with the Astronauts on the International Space Station.

Coordinating closely with Frank Bauer, AMSAT VP Human Spaceflight, Paul will be seeking ways we can encourage ARISS schools and teachers to take the next step, with programs to leverage that enthusiasm into an ongoing interest in math, science and amateur radio.

Another key area of attention for Paul as Director of Education will be Cubesats. Paul notes that "there is a definite educational mission in satellite construction, which goes far beyond the production and launch of a payload." Paul is seeking to find a way to get satellite builders talking to satellite users, in an educational setting. Paul explains,
"It is my hope that by finding specific educational applications of existing and planned small satellites. By providing proper training to satellite developers, we will get them fired up about supporting the classroom use of their creations."

Executive Vice President of AMSAT and External Relations Team leader Lee McLamb, KU4OS said, "I am very excited that with Paul we've found such a talented and motivated person to serve as AMSAT Director of Education". Lee continued, "I'm sure that as Paul develops his educational team, AMSAT, students, and the whole educational community will benefit in ways we haven't yet imagined."

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