Welcome to a New School Year!

Greetings,

As we begin another school year, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the important and challenging work that we will all be engaged in over the next several months. I further invite you to think about the year ahead through the lens of curiosity.

 
If you Google the term “curiosity,” one of the images that will likely appear is that of the Mars Rover by the same name. Curiosity was launched in 2012 for a two-year mission that has now been extended indefinitely. *NASA documents describe the goals of the Curiosity Rover using phrases that begin with the words “plan,” “investigate,” “assess,” “interpret” and “determine.” These goals are tied to the overall Rover mission of preparation for future human exploration.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “What’s this got to do with Heartland AEA?” It seems to me that there are many analogies between the Mars Rover mission and the work we are privileged to do as Heartland AEA employees.


For example, we share many of the same processes in our work as the processes identified by NASA and the Curiosity mission. Rather than the words plan, investigate, assess, interpret and determine, we often simplify this scientific process into the terms, plan-do-study-act in a continuous cycle of inquiry and learning.

Similarly, while the Rover is designed to gather information and data to prepare for future human exploration, our work at Heartland AEA is designed to ultimately empower children as they prepare themselves for the future they desire.

So as you embark on a new school year, I hope you think of yourself as a Rover scientist. If we all embrace curiosity in our work, make use of the continuous cycles of inquiry and learning and build strong relationships with our partners, I have no doubt that our collective efforts will improve the learning outcomes and well-being of the children and youth whose lives we touch.

Best wishes as you embark on the journey the new school year brings.

Paula Vincent
Chief Administrator


*References:
By NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS - http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA19808.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42494599
"Overview". JPL, NASA. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
 "Mars Science Laboratory: Mission Science Goals". NASA.gov. August 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
 "Curiosity's mission extended indefinitely". 3 News NZ. December 6, 2012.