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Click on the image to download the Flyer (PDF ~ 115k) |
On Wednesday, December 15, 2004, a new Request for Proposals will be posted for the NASA Explorer Schools (NES) Partnerships for Sustainability Program. The program aims to contribute to the seeding of long-term relationships to build a sustainable role for NASA Explorer Schools in state-based efforts to improve STEM education. After a successful pilot, this year's program will fund approximately 20 partnerships for up to $20,000 each. Information is at www.nassmc.org/pfsproject.html.
The NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program supports the formation and operation of broad-based partnerships between NASA Explorer Schools and state coalitions comprised of business, education and public policy leadership. The partnership is responsible for developing and executing an action plan to strengthen and sustain the NES beyond their initial three (3)-year NASA funding. Funding is available to build the infrastructure of these partnerships and to implement action plans necessary to sustain the NASA Explorer Schools and improve STEM education state-wide.
The NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program is a collaboration between NASA and NASSMC.
NASA Explorer School Concept Goes International | 12-8-2004
The NASA Explorer School concept is going abroad to the Netherlands.
Patterned after the NASA Explorer School (NES) Program, the Delta Researchers Schools (DRS) Program will identify and develop innovative methods to inspire Dutch primary school students to pursue careers in mathematics and science. The program will focus on stimulating the interest of children -- girls in particular -- between the ages of 9 and 12. It also will generate positive awareness of human space flight, the International Space Station and other international cooperative projects. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science initially will launch, manage and fund activities for selected schools for three-year periods.
Read the full press release: www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/index.html.
Learn more about NASA Explorer Schools: explorerschools.nasa.gov. |
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NASSMC is pleased to welcome new member coalitions in Delaware and the District of Columbia. In November the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation and the Washington DC Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Partnership became official NASSMC member organizations. Additional coalition formation or reorganization activities are also underway in several states. Membership in NASSMC is open to state-based organizations representing the business, education and public policy sectors.
NASSMC membership requirements are listed in the member application package available on the NASSMC web site at www.nassmc.org/join.html. |
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An Announcement of Opportunity was issued on November 15, 2004 for states interested in participating in the NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP). This program is designed to assist state-based organizations in the planning, development, administration, implementation and follow-up of state mathematics and science education summits. Two opportunities are available through this program: [1] NSSIP Grant and [2] STEM Summit Catalyst Program. Program solicitation, deadlines and resources are available at www.nassmc.org/summits.html.
NSSIP is made possible by funding from NASA and the U.S. Department of Education, and in cooperation with other national agencies and organizations. Proposals are due January 13, 2005. |
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Linking Leaders National Conference 2005
Make plans now to attend the Linking Leaders National Conference, February 9-11, 2005. Linking Leaders alumni coalitions are invited to participate in an exploration of the successful past and promising future of this NASA-sponsored program and to celebrate 10 years of progress in systemic improvement efforts. The agenda includes guest speakers such as mathematician and cartoonist Larry Gonick (www.larrygonick.com) and Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues of the National Museum of Natural History, a reception at the International Spy Museum (www.spymuseum.org/) and sessions with representatives from various government agencies and other potential funders of coalitions activities. This conference is also an opportunity for your coalition to share its accomplishments and future plans. For more information, visit www.nassmc.org/llnc.html.
Linking Leaders Book
As part of the Linking Leaders National Conference 2005 celebration, NASSMC will compile and produce a book about the alumni coalitions and the history of the NASA Linking Leaders program. In order to have the book available at the February 2005 Conference, we need you to submit information about your coalition. Linking Leaders states should have received and email on Tuesday, November 30 from Michael Margolis of Thirsty-Fish Marketing and Storytelling entitled "Recognizing Your Coalition." Thirsty-Fish Marketing and Storytelling is working with NASSMC to create this alumni book so please take a little time to fill out the questionnaire they provided. The more detailed and comprehensive your answers, the better we will be able to successfully represent you to NASA and to potential funders and partners. In order for this book to be prepared and printed, we need your response by December 15th. In thanks for your time, Thirsty-Fish will be awarding their two prizes before the holidays. Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact either Michael (michael@thirsty-fish.com) or Jane George (jgeorge@nassmc.org). |
Linking Leaders Solicitation
The next solicitation for applications to the Linking Leaders program opens in March 2005. Information will be posted here: www.nassmc.org/linkingleaders.html.
Linking Leaders for Systemic Improvement (Linking Leaders) is a three-year program co-sponsored by NASSMC and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Initiated in 1996 to support NASA's Implementation Plan for Education and to promote coalition-building work in the states, the program's primary goals are:
• To provide resources and opportunities for state-level leadership groups to collaborate with NASA and its affiliates to align NASA resources with the state's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education agenda and to build stronger links between NASA and the state's business, education and policy communities; and
• To build the commitment to establish and strengthen a broad-based coalition to address the state's STEM needs over the long-term. |
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Geography is the science of space and place on Earth's surface. Its subject matter is the physical and human phenomena that make up the world's environments and places. The discipline of geography looks at the world as a whole to understand the connections between places and to recognize that the local affects the global and visa versa. The current generation of students face a planet that is more crowded, a physical environment more threatened, resources more depleted, and a global economy more competitive and interconnected than ever in the world's history. Dealing with these challenges requires an understanding of geography.
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This lake was formed this summer by rockslide in Tibet. For more information, visit the Earth Observatory |
Today geography plays a more important role than it did 20 years ago in both science and social studies education in the United States. This is due, in large part, to the successful implementation of Geography for Life in state standards and to long-term, high quality professional development offered by state Geography Alliances organized by the National Geographic Society in the 1980s and 1990s (see www.nationalgeographic.com/education/teacher_community/ for specific information). Significant curriculum projects like the NASA-funded Mission Geography (missiongeography.org) and NSF's Activities and Readings in the Geography of the World (ARGUS) provide educators with rich, real-world based materials to teach contemporary geography.
In the near future, geography faces increasing challenges with the narrowing of the curriculum, the result of current federal education initiatives. The Geography Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) continues to serve as a public advocate for geography, promoting the development of effective curriculum materials and programs, and the use of cutting edge geospatial tools and technology in education, particularly Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Remote Sensing (RS). GENIP seeks to develop partnerships and collaborate with other stakeholder organizations to continue geography's growth.
GENIP is a consortium formed by the four professional geography associations to coordinate its members' efforts to improve the status and quality of geography education in the United States. GENIP was organized in 1985 by the American Geographical Society (AGS), the Association of American Geographers (AAG), the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE), and the National Geographic Society (NGS). Its mission is outreach on behalf of geography to educators and policy makers across the United States. GENIP is active in providing expertise and leadership in the development of policies related to geography education. Since the publication of Geography for Life: National Geography Standards 1994 a decade ago, GENIP's primary focus has been the promotion of Standards-based geography as an integral part of every student's educational experience.
For more information about geography education and GENIP link to genip.tamu.edu. For an individual copy of Geography for Life: National Geography Standards 1994 please contact GENIP Project Coordinator Sarah Witham Bednarz , Department of Geography, Texas A&M University at s-bednarz@tamu.edu. |
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A new book by Ted Kolderie is available as a downloadable PDF at www.educationevolving.org: Creating the Capacity for Change: How and Why Governors and Legislatures are Opening a New Schools Sector in Public Education should be on the "must read" list for coalition leadership. Whether or not one agrees with all of its conclusions, this book represents a rapidly growing national trend that is now receiving much attention in the Washington education community and on Capitol Hill. High profile programs such as the Minnesota New Country School (MNCS) are pushing the traditional definition of "the school" and achieving significant results. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a grant to EdVisions, Inc., the developer of MNCS, to be used for national replication of the EdVisions Schools model through a network of twenty new high schools that combine project-based learning with teacher-leadership. |
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This report provides key findings from the 2003 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and focuses on the performance of U.S. 15-year-olds in the two major areas assessed in 2003 -- mathematics literacy and problem solving -- compared to their peers in 38 other countries. The U.S. ranked 24th out of 29 industrialized nations in mathematics skills. Information about achievement in reading literacy and science literacy is also provided, along with some discussion of changes in performance since 2000.
To view and download the report, go to nces.ed.gov/. To access information about various international education indicators go to nces.ed.gov/surveys/international/IntlIndicators/.
About PISA
The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a system of international assessments that measures 15-year-olds' capabilities in reading literacy, mathematics literacy, and science literacy every 3 years. PISA was first implemented in 2000 and is carried out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organization of industrialized countries.
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Created by The Council for Corporate & School Partnerships, The National School and Business Partnerships Award recognizes exemplary partnerships between schools and businesses around the country. Partnerships involving kindergarten through 12th grade public schools and/or school districts and businesses are eligible to apply for the award.
For further eligibility rules please go to www.corpschoolpartners.org/award.shtml. The application deadline is January 28, 2005. Winners of The National School and Business Partnerships Award will be announced on April 20, 2005.
This program is an excellent opportunity for coalitions and NASA Explorer Schools. |
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Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL): The Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) is a joint funding initiative of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
www.partnershipforlearners.org/
NAE Technically Speaking Website: Technological literacy, a broad understanding of the human-designed world and our place in it, is an essential quality for all people who live in the increasingly technology-driven 21st century. This website explains what technological literacy is, why it's important, and what's being done to improve it.
www.nae.edu/nae/techlithome.nsf
Act Now - NASA Education Features and News: NASA has a variety of opportunities for educators and a webpage to highlight them all. Opportunities include workshops, grants, online activites, student contests, fellowships, internships and conferences.
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/actnow/index.html |
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www.nassmc.org
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