Promoting Math and Science On The Wings Of Space Flight

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and NASA have joined forces in a new five-year project that will train 10,000 high school teachers how to make math and science more appealing by using human space flight and exploration materials in their classrooms.

The project, part of an Embry-Riddle initiative called TeachSpace, will offer an intensive three-day workshop to talented, motivated teachers of high school math, science, and technology. Teachers selected for the three-day summer workshops will receive housing, meals, a $100 daily stipend, and one hour of graduate credit.

Workshops for up to 20 teachers each will be held on the campuses of Embry-Riddle. The first workshops will take place in July 2004 on the university’s Daytona Beach, (FL)., campus, 50 miles north of the Kennedy Space Center.

During the following four summers, workshops also will be held on Embry-Riddle’s campus in Prescott, (AZ)., and at selected centers in its Extended Campus network throughout the United States.

Teachers will be selected for their teaching abilities and potential to return to their schools and help other teachers to apply the materials and techniques in the classroom. Over a five-year period 10,000 teachers will be trained.

“With this teachers-teaching-teachers concept, we believe the program will eventually reach one million high school students,” says Dr. Rodney Piercey, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus. Piercey is one of the originators of the program.

Teaching Science and Technology Inc. will develop the format, activities, and multimedia teaching materials for the workshops. McGraw-Hill Publishers will publish workshop materials and maintain a teacher support website.

Embry-Riddle is the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace.

FMI:  www.erau.edu/teachspace