Earth and Space Science Education in Wisconsin: A Status Report

Wisconsin is one of the states featured in the Linking Leaders Community for Change Book. Click the image to go to the Linking Leaders book main page and learn more about Wisconsin's Linking Leaders program activities.

The Wisconsin Science Network fills a unique role in Wisconsin in that it is statewide, neutral, and reflects business, education and government. The Coalition works to bring together diverse groups to address issues, problems and needs and to communicate information to a broad audiance. WSN is thus catalytic and programatic as it brokers human resources to improve science and mathematics education for all students.

The Wisconsin Science Network disseminates information, such as appropriate NASSMC new briefs, events and activities, to teachers, and other education, agency, and business leader via the Building a Presence for Science Program of the National Science Teachers Association. WSN is also part of several NSF and DOE statewide projects serving consulting and communication roles. WSN hosts an annual conference for stae leaders.

NES Partnerships for Sustainability: The NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program was launched in 2003 as a pilot to gauge the effectiveness of state-based coalitions working in active collaboration with the NASA Explorer Schools. In 2005, WSN, in partnership with Cumberland Middle School, was awarded a NES Partnerships for Sustainability grant to develop a culture of professional improvement, establish a local and state outreach program and engage community and state leaders in efforts to sustain the NES vision and objectives. The primary goal of the WSN/NES Partnershio is ot ensure that the Cumberland middle School objectives and outcomes will continue beyod the NASA funding period. The goals established to accomplish this are:

1. Establish a local and state outreach and public relations effort.
2. Engage and promote active participation of community and state leaders in working with the Cumberland NASA Explorere School.
3. Document and disseminate student achievement success.

Linking Leaders: The Wisconsin Science Network, an outgrowth of a coalition established in 2000 as a direct result of the NASA Linking Leaders Program. Wisconsin participated in the third cadre of Linking Leaders states along with New Mexico. The major activity at this stage was developing a board of directors and establishing relationships among key people in associations, agencies and businesses.