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Introduction to the Orbital Perspective
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 16 hours
  • Course by University of Arizona
  • Offered by

About

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.

Modules

The Orbital Perspective

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Earthrise-2068 Facebook Group

3 Videos

  • Introduction to the Course - Ron Garan
  • Orbital Perspective
  • Overview

4 Readings

  • 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

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discussion 1

3 Videos

  • Introducing Earthrise
  • Ron Ted with full tour-HD
  • Recording of Live Discussion 1

3 Readings

  • 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

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 1 - Looking Skyward

1 Discussions

  • Discussion 2

3 Videos

  • A Journey To Space
  • Pre-flight Remarks Before the Russian State Commission
  • Recording of Live Discussion 2

3 Readings

  • 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

Looking Earthward - Part I

    • 7 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discussion 3

7 Videos

  • 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

3 Readings

  • 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

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 2 - Looking Earthward

3 Videos

  • Collaboration
  • We Want Peace
  • Conversations with Emmanuel Jal

3 Readings

  • 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

Looking Forward - Part I

    • 2 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discussion 4

2 Videos

  • Sustainability from the Orbital Perspective
  • Recording of Live Discussion 4

4 Readings

  • 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

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discussion 5

3 Videos

  • CSR from the Orbital Perspective
  • Call to Earth - A Message from the World's Astronauts to COP21
  • Recording of Live Session 5

3 Readings

  • 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

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discussion 6

3 Videos

  • Risk Mitigation from the Orbital Perspective
  • Home
  • What Kind of World Do You Want?

3 Readings

  • 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

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 3 - Looking Forward

1 Videos

  • Crowdsourcing the Earthrise-2068 Vision

2 Readings

  • UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
  • Ways you can Take Action to help achieve the SDGs

Call to Action - Part III

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Earthrise 2068 Project

1 Videos

  • Carrying Earthrise-2068 Forward

2 Readings

  • The Future Starts Now
  • 20 Big Questions about the Future of Humanity

Auto Summary

"Introduction to the Orbital Perspective" is a transformative course designed to enhance critical thinking, global awareness, and teamwork skills, essential for thriving in today's complex global job market. Spearheaded by Ron Garan, a former fighter pilot and NASA astronaut, this course leverages real-world scenarios and collaborative projects, such as the Earthrise-2068 Project, to illustrate the power of teamwork and innovation. Drawing from his profound experiences aboard the International Space Station, Garan shares how working with a diverse group of international partners can drive significant change here on Earth. The course inspires learners to adopt the 'orbital perspective'—a mindset of global cooperation and empathy to tackle pressing issues like poverty, environmental destruction, and societal discord. Participants will actively engage in envisioning a better future by collaborating on the Earthrise-2068 project, crafting a vision for 2068, and developing a strategic roadmap to achieve it. This collective effort will culminate in a "call-to-action" to be presented at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the course's commitment to real-world impact. With a duration of 960 minutes, the course is available through Coursera with both Starter and Professional subscription options, making it accessible to a wide range of learners. Ideal for those at a foundational level seeking to make a meaningful difference, this course is a compelling journey into personal development and global citizenship.

Ron Garan
Instructor

Ron Garan