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Zoe Learner Ponterio

Manager
Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility, Cornell University

I came to Central New York as an astronomy graduate student at Cornell in 2002, as Zoe Learner, where I worked on the Mars Exploration Rovers mission for four years. I then taught high school math and physics for ten years. In 2017 I returned to Cornell as the Manager of the Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility to combine my passions for space exploration and education by supporting researchers and sharing the science and wonder of planetary missions with everyone throughout the region.

Sessions in which Zoe Learner Ponterio attends

Thursday 4 February, 2021

Time Zone: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
9:45 AM
9:45 AM

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 5

Session

Doug Ming, NASA - Johnson Space Center (Presenter)

Suzanne Foxworth, JACOBS @NASA Johnson Space Center (Presenter)

Paige Graff, JACOBS@NASA Johnson Space Center (Presenter)

Join this session and gain experience developing and applying criteria used to identify landforms on Earth as well as landforms and processes that ...
12:45 PM
12:45 PM
Virtual Tours & Experiences for the Blind? Yes, You Can!
1 hour 30 minutes, 12:45 PM CST - 2:15 PM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 9

Session

Emily Gibbs, National Federation of the Blind of Texas (Presenter)

Stephanie McMahon, Northern Arizona University Center for STEM Teaching and Learning/PLANETS (Presenter)

How can informal educators engage learners with visual impairments if they cannot see the amazing exhibits or programs across the digital expanse? ...
2:30 PM
2:30 PM
Out of this World: Teaching STEM through Music
45 minutes, 2:30 PM CST - 3:15 PM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 3

Session

Samuel Garcia, Kennedy Space Center (Presenter)

Laurie Orth, Laurie Orth Music Teacher (Presenter)

Experience the innovative teaching method of combining music and STEM through space exploration. Learn song about lunar expedition and facts for Sp...
3:15 PM
3:15 PM
Searching for Life: Cryobot Mission to Europa
45 minutes, 3:15 PM CST - 4:00 PM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 4

Session

Jeff Gonyea, U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium (Presenter)

One of the leading candidates for having an environment where life could exist due to liquid water is Jupiter’s moon, Europa. A thick, icy crust su...

Friday 5 February, 2021

Time Zone: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
9:15 AM
9:15 AM
Next Stop...Mars
1 hour 30 minutes, 9:15 AM CST - 10:45 AM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 7

Session

Delinda Mock, Cypress Fairbanks ISD (Presenter)

Mrs. Christine Graham, Cockrill Middle School (Presenter)

Traveling to Mars requires advances in technology. Join us as we use 21st Century technology tools to learn about the solar system and teach hands-...
11:00 AM
11:00 AM

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 7

Session

John Davis, NSPACE (Presenter)

Ronald Ben, NASA - JSC Office of STEM Engagement (Presenter)

Virtual learning can be a challenge, so why not gamify it for your students! In this presentation, learn about Goosechase, a virtual scavenger hunt...

Saturday 6 February, 2021

Time Zone: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
8:45 AM
8:45 AM

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 2

Session

Roger Weiss, NASA-International Space Station (HSFTIC) (Presenter)

A simple web search of NASA, ISS, or STEM can result in an overwhelming number of resources, creati...
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Martian Soil Doesn't Exist
1 hour 30 minutes, 10:30 AM CST - 12:00 PM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 2

Session

Steve Jones, FCS Innovation Academy (Presenter)

Lauren Parker, Fort Worth Academy (Presenter)

Future missions to Mars will require astronauts to be farmers; but what about soil? Come explore characteristics of regolith and modifications need...
1:30 PM
1:30 PM

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 3

Session

Fred Kepner, NASA - Southeast Regional Office (Presenter)

Catherine Shelton, NASA - Southeast Regional Office (Presenter)

Mr Jamie Semple, NASA Office of STEM Engagement (Presenter)

Deepika Sangam, NASA EPDC (Presenter)

This session will provide information about the various ways educators - both formal and informal, and caregivers can engage students in STEM Learn...
3:15 PM
3:15 PM

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Keynote Speaker

Keynote

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Speaker)

Persevering with innovation is a consistent theme in science fiction and in real life. Join us as author Andy Weir, astronaut Cady Colman, and I...