UAlbany Partners with NESTA to Improve Science Education, Literacy

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 15, 2013) -- The University at Albany is collaborating with the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) to promote enhanced Earth and space science education and literacy to its students. The partnership is facilitated through UAlbany Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Roberta Johnson, who currently serves as executive director at NESTA.

UAlbany's partnership with NESTA utilizes programs such as 'Windows to the Universe,' which seeks to make science education exciting by studying distinctive natural wonders such as Iceland's glaciovolcanoes.

Through the partnership, UAlbany students and faculty will gain access to an expansive national network of Earth and space science educators, as well as global learners to advance curriculum development, testing, implementation at scale, and public outreach.

NESTA is home to "Windows to the Universe," one of the world’s most popular Earth and space science education websites, visited by millions of people annually. Windows promotes the importance of Earth and space science education. Johnson uses the website as a resource in the courses she teaches at UAlbany.

"We anticipate many collaborative activities," said Johnson. "In one of our first joint initiatives, NESTA is partnering with UAlbany’s School of Education to develop innovative online resources on environmental sciences topics, with an initial focus on climate change and sustainability."

The largest association of Earth and space science educators nationally, NESTA has more than 1,200 members across the country. It works extensively with federal agencies, foundations, professional societies, media, industry, and educators to facilitate and advance excellence in Earth and space science education.

"NESTA’s teacher professional development coupled with UAlbany’s curriculum, faculty and staff will lead the charge in 2013 to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for our students,” said UAlbany Vice President for Research James Dias. "This partnership will help strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education."

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