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James Falletti

He/Him/His

Middle School Science & STEM Integrator
William D. McDowell Observatory

James Falletti, having graduated from the Education Program at St. Peter's University, holds Masters Degrees in both Educational Leadership, Education, and Counseling with New Jersey certifications in Teaching, Middle School Science, ELA, and Supervision. He also received a BA in English Literature from Stony Brook University in 2007, and a BA in Communications (Journalism) from Dowling College with a minor in Theatre in 2002. Having worked as a Middle School Science Teacher since 2010, he has become a role model and a leader amongst students and colleagues due to his years of dedication to teaching and the use of a hands-on approach. His work and creativity within and away from the classroom enables him to reach all students at all grade and learning levels; as-well-as the members throughout the community.

In June 2017, James attended Honeywell Educators at Space Academy in Huntsville, AL as part of team Destiny, where he received the Right Stuff Award. In June and July of 2018, James returned to United States Space & Rocket Center as an Ambassador to the HESA 2018 program and to complete his training through the Advanced Educators at Space Academy; where he received the Commanders Patch of excellence. He stated, “I love science and technology, and the Honeywell Educators program is the perfect marriage of the two. Learning about STEM and space exploration makes this a must-do experience for every science educator.”

Inspired by his work with HESA and various other professional developments, including ProjectEngin, SEEC, and NASTAR, plus his love of science and technology, James has transformed the media center into a fully immersive STEM Lab and Makerspace. Taking on this challenge has earned him recognition in his state, and has lectured on the importance of Makerspaces, as-well-as how to create your Makerspace on the cheap. 

James considers himself to be a lifelong learner and hopes to inspire more educators to take a leap of faith into the unknown with curiosity and inspiration to guide them to better the future of every student. In 2021, James has earned both The Cherri Brinley Space Science Educator Award through SEEC and the Patricia F. Kane Environmental Education Award of Excellence through NJ Audubon.

Sessions in which James Falletti attends

Thursday 4 February, 2021

Time Zone: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
8:15 AM
8:15 AM

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

Keynote

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Presenter)

Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren was selected by NASA in 2009. He spent most of his childhood abroad and returned to the U.S. to complete his education and ea...
9:45 AM
9:45 AM
Understanding Space Habitats: A Challenge-Based Approach
1 hour 30 minutes, 9:45 AM CST - 11:15 AM CST

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

Session

Steven Smith, Johnson Space Center (Presenter)

This session will help teachers use the fascination of humans in space to create analogies for biological habitats, ecological systems, civil engin...
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Panel: Perseverance Innovators
1 hour, 11:30 AM CST - 12:30 PM CST

Panel

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Presenter)

The newest Mars rover is landing in just a few weeks! Find out the latest, innovative technology th...
12:45 PM
12:45 PM
"We Choose to Go to the Moon!" and Leading Students There Again
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 2

Session

Jared Woodfill, Johnson Space Center (Presenter)

Dr Craig Wilson, USDA/ARS & Texas A&M College of Science (Presenter)

Greg Pitonza, Canajoharie Middle School (Presenter)

Use Mission Control to structure learning. With Apollo Alarm System Engineer Jerry Woodfill, train to be an Honorary Flight Director. Lead student ...
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)
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Friday Keynote: Dr. John Mather
1 hour, 8:00 AM CST - 9:00 AM CST

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

Keynote

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Speaker)

How did we get here from the Big Bang? Astronomers, geologists, and biologists all look back in time to work out the picture. I will show the histo...
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
Tour: Jet Propulsion Laboratory: 360 Degree Live Tour
1 hour, 11:00 AM CST - 12:00 PM CST

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

Tour

Nikki Wyrick, NASA/JPL (Speaker)

Joseph Williams, NASA Aeronautics and Space Administration (Speaker)

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of amazing places at JPL and get an unprecedented view from the floor ...
12:45 PM
12:45 PM
Panel: Innovation Artemis!
1 hour, 12:45 PM CST - 1:45 PM CST

Panel

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Speaker)

Do you want to find out about the latest NASA innovation for human exploration? Then this is the pa...
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Launch and Splashdown with the Artemis Mission STEM Kit
1 hour 30 minutes, 2:00 PM CST - 3:30 PM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 8

Session

Ms. Alicia Baturoni Cortez, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Presenter)

Nujoud Merancy, NASA (Presenter)

Patricia Moore, NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (Presenter)

NASA’s first Artemis mission will take place this year! Are you ready for Artemis I? Meet an engineer from the Artemis Mission Management team and ...
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
SEEC 2021 Banquet Opening and Award Ceremony
4 hours, 6:00 PM CST - 10:00 PM CST

Reception

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Presenter)

A highlight of SEEC is the Friday evening banquet, and this year will be no exception. The evening will kick off with a heartfelt welcome and thank...

Saturday 6 February, 2021

Time Zone: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
8:45 AM
8:45 AM
Expedition: Space Lab- A New Space Station Explorers Program
1 hour 30 minutes, 8:45 AM CST - 10:15 AM CST

Space Center Houston (Hosting of all events take place on-line-virtually) - Virtual Classroom 8

Session

Mrs. Courtney Black, ISS US National Lab (Presenter)

The purpose of the Expedition: Space Lab is to empower and equip teachers to utilize the multitude ...
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...
12:15 PM
12:15 PM
Panel: ISS National Laboratory Panel
1 hour, 12:15 PM CST - 1:15 PM CST

Panel

Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston (Speaker)

Join us for a special panel on the research being conducted on the International Space Station. The event will be led by Dr. Liz Warren, Ph.D., Sen...
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...