From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Thu Dec 04 2003 - 10:51:49 PST
----- Original Message -----
From: NASANEWS_at_mail.arc.nasa.gov
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 12:57 PM
To: ames-releases_at_lists.arc.nasa.gov
Subject: NASA PANEL TO DISCUSS HOW TO IMPROVE SCIENCE EDUCATION
John Bluck Dec. 4, 2003
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: 650/604-5026 or 650/604-9000
E-Mail: jbluck_at_mail.arc.nasa.gov
RELEASE: 03-99AR
NASA PANEL TO DISCUSS HOW TO IMPROVE SCIENCE EDUCATION
How NASA is working with scientists and educators to improve science
education will be the subject of a special panel discussion during
the American Geophysical Union's fall meeting in San Francisco.
Seven education experts and scientists including specialists from
NASA, the NASA Astrobiology Institute and the SETI Institute will
take part in the panel on Monday, Dec. 8, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PST
in room 3012 of the Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco.
Astrobiology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that deals with
life in the universe: its origin, evolution, distribution and future.
"What we're hoping will come out of the session is an increased
awareness within the scientific community of the benefits of
collaboration between scientists and educators," said Daniella
Scalice, the education coordinator with the NASA Astrobiology
Institute at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., and
chairperson of the panel discussion. "There is an increasing impetus
for scientists to get involved in education, and we're here to guide
and support them in their efforts."
"The theme that we are building on is the fostering of a cultural
shift in both the science and education communities toward greater
mutual respect and collaboration - with the ultimate goal of
improving science education," Scalice said.
"Astrobiology relies on collaboration across scientific disciplines
and can bring this experience to the arena of science education," she
said. "Take Project Astro, for example, which is a program run by the
Astronomical Society of the Pacific in San Francisco. This program
brings together teachers and scientists for one year to collaborate
in whatever way they choose," Scalice added.
"While scientists can get involved with the education community in
many different ways, Project Astro models how a one-on-one
professional relationship between the scientist and the educator can
benefit education," Scalice explained.
"Project Astro is about bringing astronomy into the classroom," said
Yvonne Pendleton, an astrophysicist at NASA Ames, who has volunteered
with Project Astro for 10 years. Pendleton also served as the NASA
liaison with the SETI Institute for its Voyages Through Time
astrobiology integrated science curriculum.
Panelists in the session, "Astrobiology Education: Bridging the Gap
between Scientists and Educators," include:
… Lisa Faithorn, a collaboration specialist with experience in
bridging scientific disciplines and manager of virtual collaborations
at the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
… Krisstina Wilmoth, manager of education and public outreach at the
NASA Astrobiology Institute and an education professional working
with educators to improve their involvement with science and
scientists.
… Cheri Morrow, manager of public outreach at the Space Science
Institute, Boulder, Colo., who also is working with educators and
scientists.
… Joyce Stark, a high school teacher in Sunnyvale, Calif., who has
worked with scientists.
… Yvonne Pendleton, an astrophysicist at NASA Ames.
… Edna Devore, deputy chief executive officer and director of
education and public outreach at the SETI Institute, Mountain View,
Calif.
More information about astrobiology is on the World Wide Web at:
http://nai.arc.nasa.gov and http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov
-end-
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