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 The
discoveries and new knowledge gained from over 40 years of Earth
remote sensing conducted by NASA have revolutionized our understanding
of how the Earth functions as a system. This growing understanding
is increasingly needed to inform political and economic decisions
of local, national, and global impact.
The
solid-Earth perspectives on life on a restless planet highlighted
by this report offer exciting and engaging possibilities for education.
To capitalize on these opportunities, the Solid Earth Science Program
will collaborate with the NASA Earth Science Enterprise Education
Program to stimulate broad public interest, appreciation, and understanding
of Earth's interrelated systems, and encourage young scholars
to consider careers in science and technology.
The
Solid Earth Science Education Program (SESEP) will develop educational
activities based on the three objectives identified by the ESE:
informal education, formal education, and a work-force initiative
in Earth Science Applications.
Informal
education is considered an “out-of-classroom” educational
opportunity such as those found in museums, science and technology
centers, and similar nonprofit education organizations that provide
significant educational activities for learners of all ages. Planned
program components in this area include contributing new solid-
Earth content and playing a consultative role for current and future
development of exhibits, displays, and other non-classroom activities.
For
example, the California Science Center noticed that children's
attendance in their Plate Tectonics area was down, likely because
of a lack of appreciation among children (and probably their parents)
that plate tectonics affects their lives. SESEP's remedy will
be to develop hands-on activities to show the connection between
plate tectonics and earthquakes and to create an enjoyable family
learning experience.
For
existing NASA center partners, such as the interactive museum The
Dynamic Earth, SESEP will arrange guest lecturers during Family
Science nights and coordinate participatory demonstrations of topics
such as earthquake simulation. SESEP will contribute to the NASA
Earth Science Enterprise Museum Support workshops and conferences
targeting the needs of informal educators across the country. SESEP
will also assist in the development of solid-Earth aspects of educational
overviews and foster working relationships across the informal education
network.
Formal
education includes traditional classroom education from kindergarten
through 12th grade, as well as undergraduate and graduate university
programs. SESEP will support existing NASA and partner programs,
such as the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment
(GLOBE) program (field studies for students using GPS measurements),
with the development of new resource materials for classroom teachers.
SESEP will identify and supplement efforts for undergraduate and
graduate research opportunities through NASA centers, universities
having Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with NASA, and existing
university programs that support solid-Earth education and research.
The
Work Force Initiative in Earth Science Applications is a professional
work-force development program aimed at identifying and addressing
requirements for enhancing job skills in Earth science and technology
fields. SESEP will establish a contact list of undergraduate and
graduate students who are involved in solid-Earth science and are
interested in participating in research programs. This list will
be shared within NASA and with other government and private organizations
that may have future opportunities for the students. SESEP partners
and scientists will speak at specific engagements and professional
conferences aimed toward industry to raise awareness of ongoing
solid-Earth science efforts and to expand participation.
The
Solid Earth Science Education Program is designed to exert a current,
progressive, and informative influence that fulfills NASA's
ESE objectives and leverages other ESE initiatives. SESEP will be
an important element of NASA's contribution to the national
socio-economic and educational agenda and will promote synergy among
NASA and non-NASA activities while establishing its unique role
and contributions to furthering solid-Earth education.
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