| [The first of two articles discussing the availability | | | | presentations. |
| of math and science materials on the Internet.]I | | | | One solution to some of these fall-backs [in spite |
| heard it a lot in the 1980s and 1990s. It is now 20 | | | | of all the "other stuff" that is out there on the |
| years later and I still hear it:Recent studies indicate | | | | Web just waiting to snare and entrap the |
| the American educational system is failing to | | | | innocent children from grade school and junior |
| provide a sufficient level of math and science | | | | high] is to simply TURN THEM LOOSE! A risky |
| instruction for our children. Therefore, we are | | | | proposition? Yes. So put in all the filters and site |
| falling behind in the global race to prepare the next | | | | regulators that you feel are needed. But, for |
| generation of engineers and scientists. | | | | Pete's sake, turn the students loose. Just point |
| I'm not sure if it was true then; I'm not sure if it | | | | them in the right direction. There are some |
| is true now. But, at the bottom line, it doesn't | | | | excellent sites that can keep them busy for |
| matter what the studies indicate. What matters is | | | | weeks on end.Another solution is to totally drop |
| that we DO something to address math and | | | | the expectation that high technology learning will |
| science education, whether we're lacking in it or | | | | ever be fully integrated into classroom curriculum |
| not. We need to provide the resources. I'd be | | | | and simply move forward. That's where "content |
| saying the same thing even if all the studies ever | | | | providers" come in. They are the ones capable of |
| conducted indicated that we were far and away | | | | either developing materials that are a finished |
| providing the best math and science instruction on | | | | product for in-classroom use or for taking on the |
| the planet. It's pretty hard to get too much of a | | | | role of both developer and presenter. But without |
| good thing. And keeping up with the latest | | | | access to the classroom, the venue for this |
| technology is more than a full time job.I have two | | | | material presentation will be the Web itself. An |
| suggestions: | | | | Introduction |
| | | | Let me introduce you to one site that I'm |
| Don't look at education as a competition; look at | | | | personally familiar with.... because I've put it |
| it as an opportunity never to be squandered. | | | | together myself for a specific purpose: to be an |
| Don't lay the entire burden for education solely | | | | entry point for nearly countless educational web |
| on the American educational system; take the | | | | sites targeting aerospace and astronomy. It's the |
| responsibility back into the home and other | | | | website for The Aerospace Educational |
| non-school activities. | | | | Development Program (AEDP) at Is it complete? |
| Resources Abound | | | | Not by a long shot. It's a work-in-progress. But |
| The Internet, by way of the World Wide Web, is | | | | already it has several areas that offer some |
| now the ideal resource for locating materials to | | | | premium math and science resources.More details |
| directly advance this goal. It's a double win: the act | | | | of this resource will be discussed in Part 2 of this |
| of learning the computer technology required to | | | | two-part article.Mr. Rossie's background includes |
| search the Web for more technology is a success | | | | work since 1978 with communication satellites and |
| all on its own. The resources are out there. | | | | other elements of terrestrial-based |
| They're not all that difficult to find. Once identified, | | | | telecommunication systems, as well as the |
| the key is using them correctly.The Hurdle of | | | | marketing of launch vehicles and payload |
| Preparing Lesson Plans | | | | assembly. He has been involved with efforts in |
| Despite an overwhelming and ever increasing | | | | the privatization of the space industry since the |
| number of resources, there is a fundamental flaw | | | | mid-1980s.He has run programs for elementary |
| in expecting teachers within the structured | | | | and middle school science instruction and has |
| educational system to fold the new and | | | | instructed courses in undergraduate- and |
| innovative elements of math and science into their | | | | graduate-level programs in a variety of fields |
| classroom activities. The plain fact is, teachers are: | | | | including the graduate course for Management of |
| | | | Space-Based Communication Systems. He holds |
| generally overworked with their current | | | | Master's Degrees in Philosophy (MA), |
| assignments; | | | | Telecommunications (MS) and Business |
| expected to follow a strict set of standardized | | | | Administration (MBA), and has been Director of |
| lessons that don't allow for much deviation, and so | | | | the Aerospace Educational Development Program |
| limit innovation; | | | | since its inception in 1988. He is author of |
| unable or unwilling to spend the extra time and | | | | HANDBOOK TWO FOR AEROSPACE |
| money converting the "raw material" of the new | | | | EDUCATION. |
| and the innovative into classroom-ready | | | | |