Among the numerous teacher workshops that have been conducted by the CAE was a No Child Left Behind program that was offered over three summers (2007–2009) to K–12 teachers. WCC's CAE and the Kailua/Kalaheo DOE Complex were awarded a $263,000 grant under the Mathematics and Science Partnership Program, which supported K–12 teacher workshops for improving science and mathematics skills as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act.

As its named implies, this Teacher Training through Hands-On and Excursion-Based Activities in Aerospace Science workshop emphasized activity-based training. Hands-on lessons included instruction with such tools as astronomical, GPS and GIS instruments and software. This NCLB grant also provided each teacher participant with several of the instruments used in the workshops, such as a GPS unit and a spectrometer. In addition, a complete classroom set of each activity including all workshop instruments was purchased and stored at Kailua Intermediate School, which acted as a lending source for each participant whenever they incorporated any of the lessons learned in their own classroom.

Along with familiarizing the teachers with all the CAE resources facilities, excursions were held at other museums and science facilities, including the Bishop Museum and Pacific Aviation Museum—Pearl Harbor. In addition, a two-day trip to the Big Island was planned that included visits to the Mauna Kea Observatories (elevation 13,800 feet) with a private guided tour of the Gemini Observatory, a hike to Lake Waiau, and evening observations at Hale Pohaku (9,000-foot level). The following day, a geologist provided a special tour of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Later that afternoon, the group visited the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.

Click for a full outline of this NCLB Workshop schedule for details on each activity and excursion.

Teachers also earned Professional Development credit at a follow-up session where they presented a portfolio of the lessons they had developed based on this NCLB workshop.

Excursion Activities

Summit of Mauna Kea – Elevation 13,800 feet, Subaru Observatory (left); Keck I and Keck II Observatories (white domes)

Hiking Mauna Kea with Mauna Loa in background

Group in front of Gemini Mirror – Diameter of mirror is 8.1 m (319 inches)

Gemini North – Tour of Gemini Observatory

Joe Ciotti and former student Tony Matulonis, telescope operator at Gemini and tour guide for group

Lake Waiau – Elevation 13,020 and highest lake in the Pacific rim

Volcanoes Nation Park – Teachers with geologist guide Steve Lundblad,

Halemaumau Crater – Learning about the caldera with geologist guide Cheryl Gansecki,

Volcanoes National Park – Hiking tour with Cheryl Gansecki,

Tour of 'Imiloa Astronomy Center – Joe Ciotti served as technical officer and helped to design this planetarium at UH Hilo.

Pacifica Aviation Museum—Pearl Harbor Tour – Teachers on flight simulators

Pacifica Aviation Museum—Pearl Harbor Tour – This facility is now the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum