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Portals to the Universe The NASA Astronomy Science Centers (2007) / Chapter Skim
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5 Education and Public Outreach
Pages 30-33

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From page 30...
... 5  Education and Public Outreach Astronomy has a special appeal to the public by virtue of the richness of its images, the exotic environments in which it plays out, and the fundamental questions it asks about cosmic origins. No doubt,  the generous public support for NASA's astronomy research stems largely from astronomers' success  in making the fruits of their research accessible and appealing to many people. Moreover, astronomy  attracts many young people into careers in science. Astronomers have a responsibility to continue these  efforts and especially to help improve science education in the nation's schools.  Astronomical observations can illustrate universal concepts -- such as how scientists interpret inherently uncertain or noisy data or why it is useful to observe a phenomenon at multiple wavelengths -- which are fundamental to scientific literacy. Recognizing this value, NASA has mandated that science  centers support programs in education and public outreach (EPO) , and every NASA astronomy science  center has responded to this mandate.
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From page 31...
... These EPO programs have greatly increased the public's appreciation and understanding of NASA's  efforts in space astronomy.  Finding: The public outreach efforts of the astronomy science centers have a major national impact. During  its  data  gathering,  the  committee  learned  that  NASA  Headquarter's  approval  process  for  EPO products is adding time and expense to NASA astronomy science center public outreach efforts.  The committee believes that the science centers have sufficient expertise and competence to vet their  own education and public outreach products.  K-12 EDUCATION In its recent report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, the Committee on Prospering in the Global  Economy of the 21st Century listed four priority recommendations for ensuring American competitiveness, the first of which was to "increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12 science and  mathematics education."1 Specific strategies to achieve this goal included funding summer institutes to  1National Research Council, 2007, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, p. 5.
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From page 32...
... 3Ibid, p. 6. 4Weiss et al., 2003, LookingInside the Classroom: A Study of K- Mathematics and Science Education in the United States.  Chapel Hill, N.C.: Horizon Research, Inc.
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From page 33...
...  provide venues for the science centers  to leverage their efforts in K-12 education. Finding: Astronomy science centers have developed valuable resources for K-12 education, but developing a coherent strategy that can have a greater educational impact remains a major challenge.
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Key Terms

  • astronomy science
  • science centers
  • major national
  • impact remains
  • coherent strategy

  • valuable resources
  • major challenge
  • national impact
  • developed valuable
  • educational impact

  • science center
  • outreach efforts
  • science education
  • gathering storm
  • united states

  • employing america
  • economic future


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