NASA/School Interaction

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.