Excellence in Science, Technology, and Math Education (ESTME) Week

March 16-22, 2006

There are lots of interesting events and activities this week. The purpose of ESTME (pronounced “esteem”) Week is:

“to excite K-12 students about the wealth of opportunities for discovery and exploration afforded by math and science education. The government-wide observance of ESTME Week is being coordinated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).” (http://ostp.gov/html/estme/index.html)

We can study science, technology and math anytime, right? Well, there is one week every year when many, many agencies and associations put forth their best ideas and resources for educators and students to encourage such studies and interests. This year the long list of agencies and associations participating in this special week include:

• Department of Energy
• National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Science Center
• United States Army
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• United States Department of Agriculture
• Department of Defense
• Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Association
• Department of Commerce and the Technology Administration
• National Institute of Health
• National Science Teacher Association
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• National Science Foundation
• Optical Society of America
• United States Geological Survey

Many of the agencies and associations listed above have interesting and educational pages for parents, teachers and kids on a regular basis. For example:

NASA has lots of kid-friendly web sites. Below is a small sampling:

• http://www.nasakids.com/
• http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/
• http://edspace.nasa.gov/

NOAA has a few kids pages such as:

• http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/kids.htm
• http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/kids.htm

Some of USGS’ pages for kids is:

• http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/students/
• http://biology.usgs.gov/features/kidscorner/kidscrnr.html
• http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Kids/

Don’t forget math:

• http://www.figurethis.org/fc/family_corner.htm
• http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/challenge_index.htm

Finally, don't miss the ESTME list of resources. 

So, this should get you started if you choose to celebrate this week by focusing on science, technology and/or math. Check out the official ESTME web site. See also the National Science Teachers Association web site.

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