NASA RISE - NASA RISE of the College of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University offers a variety of pre-service and in-service workshops for students preparing to be science, mathematics and technology teachers and practicing teachers, supervisors, curriculum developers, and school administrators. These workshops focus on NASA Earth system science and related SMET content, implementation of national standards in science, mathematics, and technology, scientific visualization, instructional and information technology, remote sensing, and geographic informations science. Contact: James L. Barnes, Director, NASA RISE, College of Integrated Science and Technology, 701 Carrier Drive, MSC 4102, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807; Phone: (540) 568-3154; Fax: (540) 568-2761; Email: barnesjl@jmu.edu
(Added: 6-Feb-2001 Hits: 618) [Spider search][grade levels: adult]
NASA Student Involvement Program (NSIP) - NSIP is NASA's national competition for students in grades 3-12, designed to link students directly with
NASA's diverse and exciting missions of research, exploration, and discovery. Annual competitions foster
student literacy in science, mathematics, engineering, technology and geography. Teachers use NSIP to
support curricular goals, spark student interest, encourage creative thinking across disciplines, and involve
students in science process skills. Program information and entry forms are provided in the annual NSIP
Program Announcement, available in print and via the Internet prior to the new school year. Supplemental
information is provided in Educator Resource Guides available for each of the competition categories:
Design a Mission to Mars; Watching Earth Change; Earth Systems in My Neighborhood; Aeronautics
and Space Science Journalism; and Flight Opportunities.
Entries are judged at NASA Centers, students may receive judges' comments about their entry. All
qualified entrants receive NASA certificates of participation. Prizes include NASA presentations at
schools; trips to the National Symposium, Student Flight Week, and Space Camp; and student
experiments launched on a NASA Sounding Rocket or the Space Shuttle. Beginning in 2000, the Institute
for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) will award the $4,000 Thacher Scholarship to a first-place,
high-school Center Winner in the Watching Earth Change competition.
(Added: 5-Feb-2001 Hits: 914) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12]
NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program - NASA's Education Division, Higher Education Branch, in cooperation with the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), awards approximately 150 first-year summer fellowships to engineering and science educators. The Summer Faculty Fellowship Program is designed to further the professional knowledge of engineering and science faculty and NASA scientists and engineers, and contribute to the ongoing research at NASA facilities. The program provides an excellent opportunity for faculty to establish contacts with NASA researchers and generally learn more about to access the agency's resources. Contact: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), 1818 N Street, NW, Suite 600; Washington, DC 20036; Phone: (202) 331-3525;
(Added: 6-Feb-2001 Hits: 552) [Spider search][grade levels: adult|post-secondary]
NOVA - NOVA was created to develop and disseminate a national framework for enhancing science, mathematics, and technology literacy for teachers in the 21st century. The NOVA consortium, with the University of Alabama, Fayetteville State University and the University of Idaho as lead institutions, is working to produce enhanced science, mathematics and technology literacy for new teachers. This effort is accomplished through the demonstration of an undergraduate science/math/technology course framework, examples of successful course models, and a mentoring support system for faculty wishing to implement new courses or modify existing courses at their universities. The framework uses interactive learning and integrates science, mathematics and technology as a means of developing a new paradigm for educating teachers. NOVA invites the participation of science, mathematics, engineering, technology, and education faculty who are concerned with how universities prepare new teachers. Using the NASA mission, facilities, and resources, NOVA provides faculty with enhanced knowledge and skills to implement change in university courses. The NOVA team presents its framework for change primarily through three-day workshops to interdisciplinary university teams. These universities are then eligible to submit proposals for Implementation Planning Grants (up to $30,000 for a one-year period) to initiate change in science, mathematics, or engineering courses for preparing K-12 teachers. In addition, the project links participants together through a World Wide Web server, which provides the means for faculty and students to exchange and have access to the model, materials, activities, and updated information. Contact: L. Michael Freeman, Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics, University of Alabama, Box 870280, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0280; Phone: (205) 348-7304; Fax: (205) 348-4171; Email: nova@coe.eng.ua.edu or mfreeman@coe.eng.ua.edu
(Added: 6-Feb-2001 Hits: 597) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12|K-2]
Pan American Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences (PACES) - The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is involved in several initiatives to improve science education within the El Paso area public schools. These include outreach efforts into the classrooms; training programs for in-service teachers; and the introduction of a strong pre-service Science Core Curriculum. This project combines the goals of these initiatives into a multi-year series of Earth system science workshops for pre-service and in-service teachers using NASA Earth Science Enterprise materials and materials developed specifically for this region through the Pan American Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences (PACES), a NASA-funded University Research Center. Five workshops will present an Earth system science perspective using NASA and UTEP materials. Each workshop will focus on one aspect of Earth system science: an introductory workshop; the lithosphere; the biosphere; the atmosphere and hydrosphere; and astronomy. A sixth, and final, workshop will consist of a field trip to the NASA Regional Educator Resource Center maintained by the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium located at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The El Paso area satellite images processed by PACES and the lesson plans developed by the workshop participants will be available via the PACES Web site at UTEP. Contact: Vicki Harder, Principal Investigator, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968; Phone: (915) 747-5746; Fax: (915) 747-5305; Email: vharder@geo.utep.edu or Sally Blake, Co-Investigator, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968; Phone: (915) 747-7675; Fax: (915) 747-5305; Email: sblake@utep.edu
(Added: 6-Feb-2001 Hits: 671) [Spider search][grade levels: adult]
Planet Earth: A Science And Methods Course For Preservice And Inservice Teachers - The Planet Earth course will serve preservice teachers and inservice teachers (grades four-nine). This
program will be offered for the third and probably last time during summer 2000, from August 14-18,
2000.
Each day will focus on an important Earth system area: acid rain, global warming, the water cycle, oceans
and climate, and planetary environments. The content sessions will employ student-active learning
methods, and will be integrated with Web based, hands-on, and field based activities. The day ends with an
examination of related classroom issues such as the curriculum frameworks and assessment. Each
participant will develop and implement a lesson plan or curriculum unit during the fall semester.
Inservice teachers will participate in a fall semester program of classroom Earth systems research plus two
Saturday workshops. They will be eligible for three graduate credits in Geosciences or Education or 42
"Professional Development Points." Preservice teachers will attend academic year workshops devoted to
additional science teaching methods. They will receive three credits for Education 462, Elementary Science
Methods.
Contact: To register, contact Eugenie Harvey, Phone: (413) 545-1290; Email:
eharvey@k12s.phast.umass.edu. Questions should be addressed to Morton Sternheim, Phone: (413)
545-1908; Email: mort@k12s.phast.umass.edu
(Added: 17-Apr-2001 Hits: 591) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12]
PULSE of the Planet--A Project to Prepare Undergraduates for Learning the Systems of Earth - Although this project will use NASA's four strategic enterprises as organizational themes, emphasis will be
on NASA's Earth science program. A team of geologists, environmental scientists, and educators from the
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) will evaluate selected undergraduate courses and propose
substantive modifications reflecting innovative delivery systems and instructional strategies. By including
core content and general education courses, the project will have the opportunity to recruit potential teacher
candidates from the general college population, with an emphasis on recruiting minorities.
The Challenger Center for Space Science Education's (CCSSE) Encounter Earth mission will provide a
context for organizing and integrating content themes associated with the Earth's land surface, oceans,
atmosphere, ice sheets and living systems. The project will explore ways of using this simulated space
mission in college level science instruction while preparing teachers in the burgeoning area of science and
technology research associated with the Earth's systems.
The faculty associated with the project will work closely with the staff of the Challenger Learning Center at
UTC while participating in pre-and post-mission activities in area schools. The project will have a middle
school focus although K-12 implications of NASA's strategic enterprises will require that we examine a
wide range of courses. CCSSE will play a major role in the dissemination of instructional products
developed through this initiative.
Contact: Bernard W. Benson, Ph.D., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga,
615 McCallie Avenue; The Challenger Learning Center; Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598; Phone: (423)
755-4237; Fax: (423) 785-2190; Email: Bernard-Benson@utc.edu
(Added: 17-Apr-2001 Hits: 520) [Spider search][grade levels: 6-8]
PUMAS (Practical Applications of Math And Science) - PUMAS (Practical Applications of Math And Science)
a collection of one-page examples of how math and science topics taught in K-12
classes can be used in interesting settings, including everyday life. The examples are written primarily by scientists and engineers, and are
available to teachers, students, and other interested parties via the PUMAS Web Site. Their goal is to capture, for the benefit of
pre-college education, the flavor of the vast experience that working scientists have with interesting and practical uses of math
and science. PUMAS is an on-line journal of brief examples illustrating how math and science concepts taught in pre-college classes are actually used in everyday life.Ý PUMAS offers a way for researchers to make a substantial contribution to education with a relatively small investment of time and effort.
PUMAS examples may be activities, anecdotes, descriptions of "neat ideas," formal exercises, puzzles, or demonstrations, written primarily by scientists, in any style that serves the material well.Ý They are intended mainly to help K-12 teachers enrich their presentation of science and math in the classroom.Ý The PUMAS web site provides wide distribution; the site receives over 3,000 hits per week, on average.
Teachers can search the PUMAS collection based on curriculum topic, grade level, or subject.Ý They can select relevant examples, and develop ideas of their own about how to integrate the material into their lesson plans.
All examples are peer-reviewed by at least one scientist with a relevant background, and at least one teacher at an appropriate grade level.Ý Once accepted, an example is a citable reference in a refereed science education journal, and may be listed in your resume.
Interested in participating?Ý The examples are available to everyone via the PUMAS web site.Ý The project also needs teachers at all grade levels, scientists, and engineers to volunteer for the pool of PUMAS reviewers.Ý And the project is always looking for good examples of the Practical Uses of Math And Science.
Contact:Ý Ralph Kahn, editor and founder, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MS 169-237, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA; Phone: 818-354-9024; FAX: 818-393-4619; Email: ralph.kahn@jpl.nasa.gov
(Added: 14-Jun-1999 Hits: 977) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12|K-2]
Scenario Based Learning: Inquiry for a Digital Earth - While text-based media can provide a wealth of information, retention of data and facts is significantly
limited. In contrast, a graphical representation allows us to absorb billions of bits of data instantly, e.g.
maps, images, photographs. Therefore multi-dimensional graphical representations will be the only method
to fully tap the vast amounts of data being gathered. Although multi-dimensional graphical virtual worlds
have being used for many applications, it has not yet being exploited for educational purposes. The
objectives of this project are:
1) Develop and test scenarios that utilize resources that will be available via Digital Earth. How will
the Digital Earth network facilitate the goals of the individuals involved in a scenario? How will
individuals use the available data?
2) Investigate whether multi-dimensional graphical virtual worlds and the scenario-based learning
strategy provide an effective learning environment. What would they learn? Are these worlds more
appealing? What are the design criteria for these scenarios to be effective learning environments?
3) Produce a low-resolution 3-D Earth with geo-referenced data, which could be accessible by
high-end desktop machines. Could high-end desktop machines maximize the use of Digital Earth
resources?
4) Involve individuals of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in Earth science in the
creation and usage of Digital Earth resources.
First, a three-dimensional low-resolution Earth elevation map that could run on high-end yet affordable
desktop machines will be created. Second, atmospheric science data i.e., ozone, water vapor, sea surface
temperature, precipitation, surface temperature, will be added to this Earth elevation map. Third, four
scenarios will be played-out with undergraduate students to test their ability to learn and make high order
decisions based on the knowledge acquired with these multi-dimensional virtual-world scenarios.
Contacts: Principal Investigator: Waldo Rodriguez, BESTLab/Chemistry, Norfolk State University, PO
Box: 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504; Phone: (757) 823-2381; Fax: (757) 823-9054; E-mail:
waldo@vigyan.nsu.edu
Co-Investigator: S. Raj Chaudhury, BESTLab/Chemistry, Norfolk State University, PO Box: 700 Park
Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504; Phone: (757) 823-2241; Fax: (757) 823-9054; E-mail: raj@vigyan.nsu.edu
(Added: 18-Apr-2001 Hits: 557) [Spider search][grade levels: adult|post-secondary]
Studying the Earth's Environment from Space (SEES) - This site is organized in a modular style based
on Earth science topics studied by scientists
with environmental data collected by satellites.
Currently, four modules are being developed.
They are listed at the right. The Stratospheric
Ozone and Global Land Vegetation modules are
ready for use.
SEE)
http://See.gsfc.nasa.gov/
SEE focuses on enabling the use of NASA Earth science information and data for formal and informal
education. This program develops educational products for high school and undergraduate educators and
for students at these levels. It also works with organizations and individuals involved in informal education
throughout the U.S. to jointly produce useful educational and public awareness materials that utilize
NASA's Earth science knowledge and expertise.
Contacts: Blanche Meeson, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Earth Sciences Directorate, Code 900,
Greenbelt, MD 20771; Email: bmeeson@see.gsfc.nasa.gov or Carla Evans, Goddard Space Flight Center,
Earth Sciences Directorate, Code 900, Greenbelt, MD 20771; Email: cevans@see.gsfc.nasa.gov
(Added: 26-May-1999 Hits: 1644) [Spider search][grade levels: 6-8|9-12|post-secondary]
