TAMIU to Offer ‘Future Astronaut’ Training Program for Educators Feb. 25 – March 1

An innovative STEM initiative at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will provide local and area educators with a chance to complete an early education training program focused on impacting  STEM awareness and, possibly, helping encourage future astronauts Feb. 25 through March 1.

The Future Astronaut Training Program promotes scientific thinking, mindfulness, physical activity and teamwork within an Early Years setting for teachers.  It will be presented jointly by TAMIU’s College of Education and members of the Fun Academy, a Finland-based early education company providing pedagogical solutions based on the unique Fun learning approach.

TAMIU dean of the College of Education , Dr. James O’Meara, said the offering is new for the University.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to building a STEM pipeline in South Texas.  We believe providing our teachers with access to  world-class , forward-focused approaches for Early Childhood Education in Laredo is the best strategy to positively impact STEM field growth for our State. After all, Texas is one of the most important locations for the global aerospace and aviation industry in the nation. We host two international airlines, two of the world’s busiest airports, 15 active military bases, and NASA’s world-famous Johnson Space Center, as well as many of the largest global aerospace and aviation companies. In order to sustain and build on that growth, we need to encourage greater interest in STEM fields by students,” Dr. O’Meara explained.

Eligible participants in the training program include University or Early Childhood Education faculty preparing Early years/K-2 educators for working in early childhood settings, Early years/K-2 educators working in a classroom, those re-entering the field/administrative level with a background in early years/K-2 education, after school program leaders, home school educators and kids club and extra-curricular center faculty.  

The five-day Program itinerary includes the pedagogical foundation of the Fun Learning approach, Future Astronauts Program unwrapped, Future Astronauts Program in practice – Daily activities, Future Astronauts Program in practice – Weekly activities and  How to be a Future Astronauts Trainer. The Program cost is $1100 and does not include travel or accommodation.

Those completing the program will be certified as Future Astronauts Trainers, receive continuous online support for 12 months, and become a member of the global Fun Learning community.

The Fun Academy began at the University of Helsinki in Finland and is now based at Aalto University Learning Center in Espoo.  It works on four continents and is a multi-national team of pedagogical and cross-industry experts with a shared passion for making learning fun. They develop, test and implement educational solutions for teachers worldwide that adapt and complement local cultures, curricula and students’ needs, according to their website.

For more about the Future Astronauts Program training at TAMIU, contact  Dr. O’Meara at ) at 956.326.2680, email james.omeara@tamiu.eduor visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 429.

To learn more about the Fun Academy, go to https://funacademy.fi