Eliminating the `chalk and talk' approach to teaching; NASA program exposes pre-service teachers to innovative teaching methods, aims to demystify science, math - Noteworthy news: the latest news from across the country

Black Issues in Higher Education, March 14, 2002 by Hilary Hurd

"Here's the textbook. Learn it," says Rosario about the teaching style she grew up with. She says the conference has given her ideas and suggestions for making teaching and learning fun.

Many of the faculty, regardless of their race or ethnicity, say they would have benefited tremendously from a similar program when they were in college.

"It would have been a jumpstart," says Edwards of Fayetteville State. "I didn't have an induction program. It would have been good to observe before teaching."

Freeman, an education consultant, grew up in Newport News, Va., just miles from NASA Langley and says "I never knew there was anything for an educator at NASA. I feel fortunate to get on the other side of the fence."

SPREADING THE WEALTH

Soon, there will be many more faculty and students getting the opportunity to get on the other side of the NASA fence. Beginning this summer, NASA summer institutes also will be held at NASA Marshall in Huntsville, Ala., and NASA Johnson in Houston, funded by NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space program.

Proctor says the program will attract students from the HBCUs, HSIs and tribal colleges in the surrounding regions. In March, NASA Langley will hold an intensive training session for the new faculty facilitators so that the Alabama and Texas institutes will be up and running by May.

George E. Reese, associate administrator of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA Headquarters, says the pre-service teacher program fits in well with NASA's mission.

"NASA and the federal government have recognized that there's a shortage of individuals getting advanced degrees in science, math and technology, but the tech jobs are increasing," Reese says, adding that educating the U.S. work force, minorities and otherwise, will help NASA continue to be the pre-eminent space agency. "We have to keep up our level of expertise."

Reese says he hopes the pre-service teacher conferences and summer institutes will serve as a reinforcement for students who want to be teachers, particularly those who may be borderline.

"Teaching is such a challenge. By coming to the conference, I hope it reinforces their idea that, `Yes, I want to be a teacher. I can be a teacher.' Or they may decide they don't want to, and that's fine, too," Reese says.

Maisha Holmes was one of those borderline students.

Holmes, a senior at the University of the District of Columbia majoring in early childhood education, says she was leaning toward a career as a childcare center director prior to attending the conference.

"In 1 1/2 days I've decided to become a teacher," Holmes says. `I'm having a great time. After this experience, I know I can do this."

In addition to participating in the workshops, the pre-service teachers received visits from U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Roderick Paige and several educators who served as keynote speakers, such as Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Dr. Robert Moses, former civil rights activist and founder of the Algebra Project.