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VISION
The scientific perspective on our Universe and humanity's place within it is
as important, valid and "humane" as that obtained from great literature and
philosophy.
Science must become part of our culture's mainstream, not just the remote
domain of a privileged few.
All students can understand and benefit from the insights of contemporary
science, whether as future professional researchers, workers in
high-technology careers, or as productive and informed citizens of an
increasingly-complex technologically-advanced society.
Science education must involve the whole student, engaging emotions and
imagination as well as intellect. Teachers are more effective, students feel
more connected and competent, and learning is enhanced when science
education is direct, experiential and hands-on.
Systemic reform of science education must alter traditional concepts of
teaching and learning by empowering teachers as facilitators rather than
lecturers from authorized texts, enlisting students as active participants
in their own education, and providing interaction with the scientific and
professional community as collaborators and mentors.
MISSION
PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE offers an ongoing series of "electronic field trips to
scientific frontiers" that excite, inform and inspire students about the
Universe around us.
PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE shares the latest factual information and contexts
within which to understand it, while developing positive attitudes towards
the scientific process, and demonstrating and encouraging technical and
research skills in accessing and comprehending the vast amounts of
information which telecommunications and computers now make available.
Simulations in class relate to and link with the real-world research
presented on camera and on-line.
Integrated multimedia resources introduce students in schools and homes
across America to the men and women who are working on exciting research
frontiers. Though "virtual", these encounters with world-class scientists
are made to feel personal. Students see creative scientists who are
life-long learners, young at heart, open to new information, and whose
challenging work is as rewarding as "play". These researchers serve as role
models for life choices, as well as professional mentors in their specific
disciplines. Their personal stories inspire youngsters by showing that what
they learn while young can be a "passport" to a productive and rewarding
career and life.
PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE empowers teachers and students to begin an ongoing
process of individualized discovery by providing practical, flexible
pathways, adaptable to the different levels of technology and training to be
found in any school, home or science center. "Teacher-friendly" materials
welcome first-time users, and more challenging online collaborations engage
those with the capacity to become involved. This pyramid of options enables
widespread participation, and minimizes the effects of inequality of
resources. New technologies are introduced through project-related
activities which deliver immediate, practical learning experiences, rather
than abstract training.
PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE is informed by the suggestions of the national science
reform panels, the national science standards, and state guidelines and
frameworks, and provides "replacement modules" which can serve as
readily-integrated "plug and play" units in the existing curriculum.
As an ongoing series of Modules, PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE will enable teachers
to build on previous experiences, and implement succeeding Modules with
increasing effectiveness. Educators will "cache" successful teaching
strategies, and apply this positive feedback loop to the new content of each
new field trip.
Believing that science should be experienced as both "content" and
"process", PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE will develop and implement assessment tools
to measure student learning outcomes. These will assess growth in positive
attitudes and development of skills, as well as increasing mastery of
content.
PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE focuses on the continuing enterprise of scientific
research and exploration and not the achievements of individual adventurers
and expeditions. It collaborates with the nation's leading science agencies
(principally NASA and NSF) and university-based researchers, and presents
ongoing activities in which students may envisage themselves playing a role
in the future. Research itself is the adventure.
The core PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE team serves as conductor for a large and
evolving orchestra of individual research agencies and scientists, teachers
and students, schools, science centers and home-schoolers, articulating and
amplifying the grand theme of humanity's ever-increasing understanding of
the world and its processes of growth and change.
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