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Taking Science out of Science Education:
President’s Proposed FY 2014 Budget
NASA_Mars_Rover
The President’s FY’14 budget proposes to consolidate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education efforts from 12 agencies to just three – Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and Smithsonian.
While the intended goals are commendable, the Administration provides no evidence to support this drastic measure that would take NASA and other leading science agencies and their science out of America’s science education.
Taking Science out of Science Education
The implementation of this plan would result in dismantling, and eliminating what is a robust, well-established, successful, and rigorously-evaluated science education and public outreach effort. Just as launching rockets, landing rovers on Mars, or building sophisticated satellites would not be sent to other agencies, these vital and unique education programs that for decades have engaged Americans and brought the spirit of discovery into local communities and classrooms should not be discarded or separated from the scientific and technological community that shows the strongest commitment to STEM education.
Hubble image
Star V838 from Hubble Space Telescope
How does NASA contribute to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education?
The innovative products and programs produced by NASA’s Education and Public Outreach efforts have provided the context for engaging science education. NASA can provide a wealth of metrics on its vibrant programs and approaches—concrete metrics that show high standards and great success; programs designed and implemented using research-based best practices for STEM education; strong management and infrastructure that reflect the agency’s history and core; cutting-edge opportunities that reflect the agency’s legacy; a sense of reach and commitment to inclusiveness that reflects the diverse landscape of our country; and a unique “can do” spirit that has drawn Americans to NASA for decades.
Blue Marble Earth image
A ‘Blue Marble’ image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA’s most recently launched Earth-observing satellite – Suomi NPP. Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
What are the impacts on STEM education?
Imagine the 21st Century Classroom without the excitement, awe, and content of NASA. It is an education experience that simply could not be reproduced by another agency as they are dependent upon a vibrant ecosystem of unique networks between NASA engineers, scientists, education specialists, communications experts and data visualizers with years of expertise and organizational knowledge. The innovative products and programs produced by NASA’s education and public outreach efforts not only deliver STEM education, they deliver it in a way that enables learners see our home planet differently, wonder about the universe, visualize tomorrow, and reach for the stars. Learn more about the impacts on NASA education and public outreach.
What can I do to help?
Help keep science in science education by writing your representatives in Congress and/or sharing your story about how you were inspired by NASA.
President’s Proposed FY 2014 Budget
NASA_Mars_Rover
The President’s FY’14 budget proposes to consolidate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education efforts from 12 agencies to just three – Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and Smithsonian.
While the intended goals are commendable, the Administration provides no evidence to support this drastic measure that would take NASA and other leading science agencies and their science out of America’s science education.
Taking Science out of Science Education
The implementation of this plan would result in dismantling, and eliminating what is a robust, well-established, successful, and rigorously-evaluated science education and public outreach effort. Just as launching rockets, landing rovers on Mars, or building sophisticated satellites would not be sent to other agencies, these vital and unique education programs that for decades have engaged Americans and brought the spirit of discovery into local communities and classrooms should not be discarded or separated from the scientific and technological community that shows the strongest commitment to STEM education.
Hubble image
Star V838 from Hubble Space Telescope
How does NASA contribute to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education?
The innovative products and programs produced by NASA’s Education and Public Outreach efforts have provided the context for engaging science education. NASA can provide a wealth of metrics on its vibrant programs and approaches—concrete metrics that show high standards and great success; programs designed and implemented using research-based best practices for STEM education; strong management and infrastructure that reflect the agency’s history and core; cutting-edge opportunities that reflect the agency’s legacy; a sense of reach and commitment to inclusiveness that reflects the diverse landscape of our country; and a unique “can do” spirit that has drawn Americans to NASA for decades.
Blue Marble Earth image
A ‘Blue Marble’ image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA’s most recently launched Earth-observing satellite – Suomi NPP. Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
What are the impacts on STEM education?
Imagine the 21st Century Classroom without the excitement, awe, and content of NASA. It is an education experience that simply could not be reproduced by another agency as they are dependent upon a vibrant ecosystem of unique networks between NASA engineers, scientists, education specialists, communications experts and data visualizers with years of expertise and organizational knowledge. The innovative products and programs produced by NASA’s education and public outreach efforts not only deliver STEM education, they deliver it in a way that enables learners see our home planet differently, wonder about the universe, visualize tomorrow, and reach for the stars. Learn more about the impacts on NASA education and public outreach.
What can I do to help?
Help keep science in science education by writing your representatives in Congress and/or sharing your story about how you were inspired by NASA.
