PRESS RELEASE: August 2004

Hispanic Woman-owned Business works with NASA
to Train Pre-Service Teachers

Annette T. Rodrigues
Integrated Space Technologies, Inc
5151 Research Dr.
Huntsville, AL 35805
Phone: 256-509-5187, 650-793-4370
Fax: 650-227-2267
Email:

California State University, Fresno is providing extended education units for prospective teachers, who are taking part in a unique enhancement program this week featuring NASA's exciting educational resources.

NASA Ames' Education Office, Moffett Field, California, is providing funding for the workshop through a grant to California State University, Fresno and Integrated Space Technologies (IST), Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama. The workshop is taking place from August 8-20, 2004. Pre-service Teachers Institute is a two-week program set up to increase knowledge, skills, and competence in teaching mathematics and science using technology. College students will be exposed to problem-based learning, mathematics and science enrichment activities.

Participating students are provided lodging, transportation costs, registration fees and a small stipend during their stay at NASA Ames.

"We are very pleased to offer this opportunity for pre-service teachers to potentially impact the future of students from underrepresented, underserved communities, inspiring them to choose careers in math and science," said Brenda Collins, University Affairs Officer at NASA Ames Research Center.

The workshop will provide teachers with access to NASA's wide variety of educational products and services. It will also offer teachers an opportunity to incorporate these resources into their state-mandated math/science curriculum in an effort to enrich their local classes in the future.

NASA increasingly has recognized the importance of providing educational outreach programs to younger students. "The sense of wonder and excitement inspired in students at a young age stimulates an interest and motivation to pursue the necessary education in mathematics, science, engineering and technology. It's important that NASA support those teachers who are entrusted with the future scientists of our country", Collins added.

"We have to realize that ALL students have dreams. But they don't often have the resources to 'surf the Web' after school and dream of being astronauts and scientists," said Annette Rodrigues, IST, Inc., President. "We are pleased to be part of a program that will give pre-service teachers tools to take into their future classrooms to foster such dreams." Rodrigues hopes NASA Ames Research Center will make an on-going Institute so "children are not at risk of being forgotten in the 'high tech' world".

Selected researchers and managers will participate in briefings and demonstrations of NASA's cutting-edge research. An educational consultant will facilitate the morning and afternoon workshops with participation by NASA staff. During these times, students will interface with NASA personnel, tour Ames Research Center's facilities while learning to incorporate briefings and demonstrations, then 'brainstorm' applications of the resources. With this, students will be asked to provide a lesson plan at the end of the session that incorporates the information learned. This workshop will be used to develop strategies for inspiring interest in math and science for elementary and middle school students.

This workshop will leverage the available NASA resources by providing students with an opportunity to learn how to incorporate those resources into their curriculum. Through the interactive program, students also will develop and share strategies for using the resources to inspire students from this severely disadvantaged and underrepresented population.