NASA, STEM and PBL

I believe that NASA has it's heart in the right place. Consider the quote:

 

"NASA has primary responsibility for advancing U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through robust space exploration and aeronautics research programs. NASA's mission to understand and explore depends upon educated, motivated people..."

— Marrett, C. B. & Winterton, J. L. (2007, February 22)

 

It clearly wants (needs) and educated science and math population in order to stay at the top of the space game. My concern is that they don't have the funding to guide legislation necessary to keep the US on top.

In fact, the defense industry probably has done more to encourage and reward science education in the last decade (sad as it is).

STEM is a great system that ties all areas of technology and science together. I give this my full support. After all, I am a Calculus teacher taking a course in Climate Change. I do see the need for interconnectedness! Also, problem based learning is a great technique to get kids motivated.

  This week I will be teaching implicit derivatives and I use the problem of an asteroid careening toward earth as a motivator for kids to calculate it's trajectory correctly!

 

 

 

 

Which Web 2.0 tools do I like and why?

When  I was a kid we had pen pals so that we could write letters to kids in far off lands. The further the better, in fact. This was great then but now we have instant communication with people all over the world. Web 2.0 based technologies have brought us much closer together. We may lack some of the old awe at far away lands but we now can get things done.
Like education. I was doing a project with my class to measure the circumference of the earth as the Greeks did thousands of years ago. We needed information on the Sun's shadows and connected with kids in Europe to do so.
I feel that our connection with each other is the key that will help us navigate this planet into a peaceful future. If only we get the management!