Enhancing instruction in mathematics and science in secondary schools: an innovative approach using remote sensing

As the age of educational reform begins the new millennium, years of educational reform in mathematics and science have not yielded anticipated results. The performance of students in the United States, compared to students in industrialized nations, demonstrates that American students are not acquiring the math and science knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy. The Partnership Award, a collaborative initiative between Mississippi Valley State University and NASA, provides a unique solution to a multi-faceted problem. Pre-service and in-service teachers, working in rural Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC), are provided with opportunities to acquire specialized training in math and science instruction with hands-on activities included in the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program. The resources of NASA, especially remote sensing, are utilized to enhance curriculum and to increase student performance on standardized tests.