The support program coordinator (SPC), M. Ruzek, USRA, will build upon the experience and successes of ongoing Earth Science research and educational activities by establishing formal and informal programs with science organizations to provide students and faculty with guidance in classroom investigation. The key is to make it easier for science education to become an intrinsic part of the Global Change Research effort. ECOlogic's goal is to build bridges for the transmission of information from the science community to the classroom and beyond to informal education venues such as museums. The SPC will establish a group of scientists from several organizations committed to working with educators and mentoring student teams. With the community's guidance, the SPC will establish an efficient, standard mechanism for scientists to advise teachers and students over the network, and to participate in student projects at a level commensurate with their commitment to be involved. The SPC will also work with scientists to identify information products which are useful in the classroom. The SPC will serve on the National Advisory Panel; stay in close contact with federal, state and professional agencies having Earth Science and educational affiliations; and maintain an awareness of their goals and priorities. In this way ECOlogic can adapt to needs for new expertise and modify their strategy to make the best use of ongoing projects and activities within these agencies. By maintaining these contacts, the SPC can identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness and visibility of the ESSCC testbed.
The Earth System Science Community Curriculum Testbed
keeler@jacks.gsfc.nasa.gov