Of major importance in implementing integrated electronic benefit transfer and integrated electronic access to government information and services, is that government and educators throughout the country have the ability to communicate electronically, through user-friendly communications packages. The government, particularly NASA, could provide a wealth of information to schools throughout the country, particularly those in rural communities where the latest technology is not always available. In particular, science and math skills of students would be greatly enhanced by a "meeting of the minds" of NASA and educators. This is already being accomplished sporadically across the country, with education initiatives; however, a concerted effort should be made to reach ALL students in America. By allowing students and faculty electronic access into the inner workings of NASA and all that NASA has to offer would increase not only their knowledge, but their sense of pride and support for NASA and all that we have to offer the American people. NASA would also benefit from input by the public on how to do business more efficiently, and by "listening" to what the public wants from its space program. In addition, NASA can encourage student/faculty participation in this information exchange by providing excess government computer hardware and software to schools, thereby giving them the tools necessary to exchange information and ideas. This is also being done on a very small scale; however, the time to process the paperwork to transfer equipment to schools is much too long.
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