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Introduction to the Orbital Perspective

Approx. 16 hours to complete

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Course Summary

The Orbital Perspective course aims to inspire people to see the world from a different perspective and encourage positive change. The course is taught by Ron Garan, a former NASA astronaut and humanitarian who has spent 178 days in space.

Key Learning Points

Gain a new perspective on life and the world we live in
Learn how to use this perspective to create positive change in your life and in the world
Understand the importance of collaboration and empathy in achieving meaningful goals

Learning Outcomes

Develop a new perspective on life and the world we live in
Understand the importance of collaboration and empathy in achieving meaningful goals
Learn how to use your new perspective to create positive change in your life and in the world

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge or experience is required
A willingness to challenge your existing beliefs and perspectives

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Self-paced online course
Video lectures
Quizzes and assignments

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The Science of Well-Being
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Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Chris Hadfield
Elon Musk
Greta Thunberg

Related Books

Description

The goals of this course are to develop the student’s critical thinking skills, global awareness, and ability to work as an integral part of a team in an increasingly complex global job market. The course provides a foundation in such skills as team building, collaboration, and elevated empathy using real-world scenarios from some of world’s most effective collaborative projects including the Earthrise-2068 Project.

Living on the International Space Station was a powerful, transformative experience—one that could hold the key to solving our problems here on Earth. On space walks and through windows, course instructor Ron Garan was struck by the stunning beauty of the Earth from space but sobered by knowing how much needed to be done to help this troubled planet. And yet on the International Space Station, Garan, a former fighter pilot, was working work side by side with Russians, who only a few years before were “the enemy.” If fifteen nations could collaborate on one of the most ambitious, technologically complicated undertakings in history, surely we can apply that kind of cooperation and innovation toward creating a better world. In this course Garan will convey what it was like learning to work with a diverse group of people in an environment only a handful of human beings have ever known. But more importantly, the course will address how we can apply the orbital perspective here at home, embracing new partnerships and processes to promote peace and combat hunger, thirst, poverty, and environmental destruction. This course is a call to action for each of us to care for the most important space station of all: planet Earth. The course will also involve participation in the Earthrise-2068 project. Working with people from around the world, students will help craft a vision of our future in the year 2068. Students will also help craft a crowdsource strategy for both the co-envisioned future of the world in 2068 and a roadmap to get there. Students will also participate in the crafting of a “call-to-action” to be delivered at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017.

Outline

The Orbital Perspective
Introduction to the Course - Ron Garan
Orbital Perspective
Overview
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Foreword, Preface and Introduction
UN Sustainable Development Agenda
UN Sustainable Development Goal 1- No Poverty
UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger

Looking Skyward - Part 1
Introducing Earthrise
Ron Ted with full tour-HD
Recording of Live Discussion 1
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapters One & Two
UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 - Good Health & Well Being
UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Quality Education

Looking Skyward - Part II
A Journey To Space
Pre-flight Remarks Before the Russian State Commission
Recording of Live Discussion 2
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Three
UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality
UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation
1 - Looking Skyward

Looking Earthward - Part I
Seeds
Planetary
Recording of Live Discussion 3
STS-124 Postflight Presentation
Cupola Corner with Chris Ferguson
Cupola Corner with Alexander Samokutyaev
Cupola Corner with Satoshi Furukawa
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapters Four & Five
UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 - Affordable & Clean Energy
UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 - Decent Work & Economic Growth

Looking Earthward - Part II
Collaboration
We Want Peace
Conversations with Emmanuel Jal
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Six
UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation, & Infrastrucure
UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 - Reduced Ineqalities
2 - Looking Earthward

Looking Forward - Part I
Sustainability from the Orbital Perspective
Recording of Live Discussion 4
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Seven and Eight
Interview: Between the Lines
UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities & Communities
UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption & Production

Looking Forward - Part II
CSR from the Orbital Perspective
Call to Earth - A Message from the World's Astronauts to COP21
Recording of Live Session 5
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Chapter Nine
UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Climate Action & Climate Action for Businesses
UN Sustainability Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water

Call to Action - Part I
Risk Mitigation from the Orbital Perspective
Home
What Kind of World Do You Want?
UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 - Life on Land
UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 - Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles: Excerpts from Conclusion

Call to Action - Part II
Crowdsourcing the Earthrise-2068 Vision
UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
Ways you can Take Action to help achieve the SDGs
3 - Looking Forward

Call to Action - Part III
Carrying Earthrise-2068 Forward
The Future Starts Now
20 Big Questions about the Future of Humanity

Summary of User Reviews

Explore the universe through the eyes of astronauts and see the world from a new perspective. This course provides a unique insight into space travel and the importance of our planet. Many users found the course to be inspiring and eye-opening.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides a unique and inspiring perspective on space travel and the importance of our planet.

Pros from User Reviews

Eye-opening and inspiring content
Insightful perspectives from astronauts
Engaging and well-presented lectures

Cons from User Reviews

Limited technical information on space travel
Some users found the content to be repetitive
Not suitable for those seeking in-depth scientific knowledge

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