Teamwork is vital to successful missions. Over the years, NASA
has had many successful missions, and a few that have failed.
In regards to NASA's Mars missions, project manager Tim Flores
(Ames Research Center) had this to say, "One fundamental
element distinguished successful missions from the failed missions teamwork," (ASK
Magazine, issue 12).
Mr. Flores also had this to say, "Without a doubt, sound
science and technical proficiency are crucial to a project.
But an examination of the Mars missions tells us that we can't
afford to overlook the relationships between the people doing
the work."
To succeed in Operation Montserrat,
you must form a team of people who are able to do two things
well: 1) work together, and 2) work independently on team tasks.
Working together will require listening, contributing to team
discussions, sharing thoughts, communicating and attention to
details. Working independently will be important because your
team will be relying on you for certain tasks which only you
will have to do. For instance, one of you must work with numbers
while another works on the graph. You will both have to finish
on time.
How to Form a Team
Each member of your team must
pick an Earth system sphere to investigate. What
are your choices? For e-Mission: Operation Montserrat
your team will need the following sphere experts:
- Atmosphere Experts specialize in the Earth's
weather, the sky, and the protective, gaseous shell
around the Earth.
- Lithosphere Experts specialize in the Earth's
crust, the rocks, and the Earth's core.
- Biosphere Experts specialize in studying
living things and how the environment affects them.
- Hydrosphere Experts specialize in studying
the waters of the Earth, its streams, oceans, and
the water cycle.
1) Introduction
to Earth Science. For background information
on how Earth system scientists think and work, go to link:
Earth System Science
and read an interview with Dr. Alex Hymark, a retiree
of e-Mission Headquarters.
2) Determine Your Speciality.
To help you find out which area of investigation you should
choose, go to link:
Science Interests Inventory
. This questionnaire will help you discover which sphere
is most appealing to you. Click here
for a printable version.
If you are still not sure which
Investigator's role you want, explore the different
specialties in greater depth.
Finally, decide, as a team,
each member's area of investigation. Don't argue. Collaborate.
Negotiate. Be adventurous.
3) Put Together Your Team.
Go to link: Team Building
to read an interview with Dr. Edie Alberts, an internationally
renowned, team-building consultant.
4) Decide on Your Team's
Guidelines. Go to link: Team
Rules to read Dr. Alberts' list of team rules. Discuss
and select five of Dr. Alberts' team rules to help guide
your team.
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