NASA EXPLORER SCHOOLS (NES): INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

In 2003, NASA established the Explorer Schools Program to enhance learning in science, mathematics, and technology. Fifty school teams, teachers and educators from diverse communities across the United States, are selected annually in a peer competition. In this partnership with NASA, the NES teams will receive new teaching resources and technology tools to enhance learning in grades 4-9. Up to $17,500 is provided to purchase technology to support science and mathematics education. NASA hosts a yearly leadership conference and workshop for new schools during which NES educators and students previously selected share experiences. Surveys from each new NES inform NASA of the curricular and technological needs that the school will address during the partnership.

Schools are informed of the principles and national standards that have been established by grade level for science, mathematics, technology, and geography. Geologists, concerned about earth science education in grades 4-9, should note that the standards in science address the structure of the Earth system, history of Earth and Earth in the solar system. Within the geography standards, environment and society are addressed, specifically human modification of the physical environment, the impact of physical systems on people and the use, distribution and importance of resources. Although the word geology does not appear in the standards, your awareness of the standards is important. You can volunteer to help teachers and parents in explorer schools through leading field trips, especially field trips through your university facilities. Your involvement is critical because teachers in grades 4-9 may have poor academic backgrounds in earth science. Your knowledge of the standards and willingness to provide content information will demonstrate that the subject of geology is involved in so many aspects of daily life.