Jeff Goldstein is a nationally recognized science educator and planetary scientist who has dedicated his career to the public understanding of science and the joys of learning. As Center Director for the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, Dr. Goldstein oversees programs that engage entire communities, train 3,000 teachers annually, and emphasize on family learning. He led the inter-organizational team that permanently installed the Voyage model Solar System on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in front of the Smithsonian. It reveals Earth’s place-our place-in space. The Voyage National Program is permanently installing replicas in 100 communities world-wide.

Dr. Goldstein was at the National Air and Space Museum for 8 years, departing in 1996 as acting Chair of the Lab for Astrophysics. He was on the senior staff at Challenger Center 1996-2005. In 2005 he created the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education. Visit Jeff at blogontheuniverse.org

Blog Entries by Jeff Goldstein

Shuttle Atlantis in Orbit: Make It a Teachable Moment

Posted November 19, 2009 | 05:21 PM (EST)


A space shuttle has now lifted off from Kennedy Space Center 129 times. The flight of Atlantis that began on Nov. 16 is also the 31st to the International Space Station. After she returns to Earth, a space shuttle will clear the tower only 5 more times before the fleet...

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In Support of 350, It's Myth Bustin' Time: "Carbon Dioxide is Just a Trace Gas, Big Deal"

5 Comments | Posted October 26, 2009 | 11:25 AM (EST)


Here's how the argument goes -- and do it justice by reading it out loud, and kinda yelling whenever you see words in CAPS.

"Hey, you're worried about CO2 concentration in the atmosphere going up because of human activity and causing an increase in global temperature?! GIVE ME A BREAK!...

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Oh No! NASA's LCROSS Is Going to Hit the Moon! Run!

17 Comments | Posted October 8, 2009 | 03:34 PM (EST)


We're slamming a satellite into the Moon?! Hasn't anybody thought this through? The Moon's going to be forced from its orbit! Giant tides will wash around the Earth! Buildings will topple! The Man in the Moon will be mad at us! Do we really need another catastrophe?!

It was an...

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September 8 and September 11: Joy, Pain, and Hope

Posted September 11, 2009 | 12:20 AM (EST)


I'll remember Tuesday September 8, 2009 for quite a long time. My Jordi turned 7. How can that be? It seems like only yesterday I took my wife Kathy to the hospital, both of us thankful that he wasn't going to be born on September 11. And now he's 7!...

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The Art of Teaching - In Tough Times, a Thank You to Teachers Everywhere

2 Comments | Posted September 8, 2009 | 03:48 PM (EST)


It's a new school year and teachers are now back in classrooms across America. During these tough times I wanted to write something that might help inspire the new teacher, reaffirm to the seasoned professional why we went into teaching in the first place, and recognize the remarkable gift that...

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Weighing In On Blue-Ribbon Panel Exploring NASA's Strategic Options for Human Space Flight

11 Comments | Posted August 13, 2009 | 03:10 PM (EST)


The blue-ribbon panel tasked by the White House with reviewing NASA's current strategic plans for human space flight, and exploring other options, wraps up deliberations this week. They've been at it just 2 months, and this Friday Norman Augustine, the panel's chair, briefs new NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and WH...

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Understanding Why Climate Change is Human-Induced: A Day in the Life of the Earth

41 Comments | Posted July 14, 2009 | 04:24 PM (EST)


Note to reader: click on the links in the text for the real data. This is not a work of fiction.

About a month ago, I was driving my son to school on a sunny day. So he started asking me lots of questions about the Sun. "How old...

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It's June 1969, Less Than 3 Weeks from the First Landing on the Moon. Where Were You During the Flight of Apollo 11?

7 Comments | Posted June 29, 2009 | 11:23 AM (EST)


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HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH
FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON
JULY 1969 A.D.

WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND
-- Plaque on Lunar Module Eagle, Tranquility Base

It happened 40 years ago next month. It was a...

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Yesterday's Launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Brings Back Memories of Apollo 11

3 Comments | Posted June 19, 2009 | 06:59 PM (EST)


Yesterday (Thursday, June 18) the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and will reach the Moon next Tuesday, June 23. LRO is a robotic mission that will pave the way for humans to return to the lunar surface. It's also a timely...

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Let's Ban English in School ... Except in English Class

3 Comments | Posted June 19, 2009 | 10:09 AM (EST)


Here it is, my very first post. It wasn't easy figuring out how I wanted to start my blogging days at the Huffington Post. I needed to say something that would set the stage for all the posts to come (assuming they let me post this one.) Then I realized...

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