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The NASA Pre-Service Teacher Conference (PSTC) was a three-day conference
for future elementary and middle school teachers and faculty advisors
held in Alexandria, Virginia on March 27-29, 2003.
The conference
was designed to enhance the teaching of science and mathematics
incorporating technology.
The conference
provided pre-service teachers attending Historically Black Colleges
and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges
and Universities the opportunity to attend general sessions with
internationally known guest speakers, and to participate in interactive
workshops with educators, scientists, and researchers.
A Career Fair was held
with recruiters from graduate schools and public school systems
across the country.
The goal of the conference
was to use the NASA mission, facilities, human resources, and programs
to provide exposure and experiences to pre-service teachers and faculty,
to support the enhancement of knowledge and skills, and to provide
access to NASA information in science, mathematics, technology, engineering
and geography. The
objectives were:
- To refine a model
teacher education and enhancement strategy in science, mathematics,
and technology that may be duplicated throughout the nation.
- To enhance pre-service
elementary and middle school teachers' knowledge, skills, and
strategies for teaching mathematics and science.
- To promote enthusiasm
and self-confidence for teaching science and mathematics for pre-service
teachers of young children.
- To provide the participating
pre-service teachers and advisors with relevant curricula and
resource materials for teaching mathematics and science at the
elementary and middle school levels.
- To enhance the knowledge,
skills, and attitudes of teacher education faculty in the areas
of science, mathematics, technology, and education reform in those
fields.
Guest Speaker
Franklin R. Chang-Dìaz (Ph.D.) (biography)
NASA Astronaut, And Director, Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory,
Johnson Space Center |
