Impact of the ECSU Network Resources and Training Site 1998-99

Both curriculum and research initiatives have been implemented in the NRTS Educational Plan which focuses on Earth System Science and technology. Initiatives have targeted both university and K-12 partners in an effort to strengthen the mathematics and science curriculum and research activities. The 1998-99 initiatives have shifted the focus away from infrastructure and instead have been designed to lift the science and research capability of partners and their affiliation with the centers. All activities have a NASA related component designed to introduce or better acquaint partners with the resources and research opportunities available through Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters, and Langley Research Center. Specific Activities that have had impact include the following:

Providing visualization training for university partners and two university partners strategy meetings. Conducting over sixty workshops involving over 1200 university and K-12 educators Three successful summer programs for educators and students. Expanded involvement of the pre-service faculty and students through the NASA Langley Pre-Service and Teacher Forum, the Educators Summer Workshop, and the MURED Precollege and Teacher Forum and the NOVA Project. Involvement of three university partners in the NOVA program (ECSU, FSU, HU). Funded proposal through the Dept. of Education for the enhancement of math and physical science departments at 5 partner universities. NSU to serve as lead institution. Closer alignment of K-12 and university classes with NASA Ecucational Resources. Successful implementation of the Earth System Science Academy involving NASA Langley's Atmospheric Science Division. Implementing the Earth System Science Expert Site Concept via the Earth System Science Academy, the Coalition for Earth System Science, The Satellites in Education Conference, The SkyMath Program, The Pasquotank River Water Quality Program, Remote Sensing Technologies training, Satellite Tool Kit training, and AVS Visualization Techniques training. Providing notebook Computers and technical support for the NOVA workshop held at Goddard Space Flight Center. Serving as a refurbisher of donated computer equipment for the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) of Halifax, NC and Portsmouth, VA. Over 500 computers were placed in service in K-12 schools through this program. Establishment of webpages for all university and K-12 partners.

Major training events are scheduled for both fall and spring of each year with additional training days scheduled through the year at the schools. The major training events will allow halifax educators the opportunity not only to expand their technical knowledge but also to try new skills, meet other technology using educators and develop professional contacts with NASA representatives and guest lectures.

The training workshops designed for Halifax educators will help them fully integrate technology and the Web into instruction. They will explore the full spectrum of possibilities, from teaching students to do research and create multimedia projects using materials they find on the Internet, to creating homepages and global Internet projects.

Summer Component The summer component will consist of a two week workshop. Workshops offered during the summer will be designed to increase the teachers knowledge and understanding of science and technology related issues involved in integration of the internet into the classroom. The summer program will be designed for 15 Halifax teachers. The summer session will extend for two weeks and run for 5 hours each day(50 hours of instruction) with hands on laboratory sessions as an integral part of the program. Each teacher participating in the summer training will receive 5 CEUs and a $500 stipend.

Earth System Science Academy The Annual Earth System Science Academy provides teachers the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the health of local waterways and to gain experience with researchers. Included in the Earth System Science Academy is a tour of the Great Dismal Swamp Boardwalk; Hands on Water Quality Labs; and workshops on Earth System Science Websites.

Follow-Up Activities During the follow up year, school staff will be invited to all regularly scheduled training activites of the NRTS. Also a part of the follow-up component will be the connectivity related issues.