Achieving Scientific Literacy Through the Mass Media and Other Communication Technologies: A NASA Perspective

A qualitative research approach was used to investigate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) educational efforts in achieving scientific literacy through mass media and other communication technologies. Six in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with various NASA education and public affairs officers throughout the country. Findings revealed a distinction between public information and educational efforts. Face-to-face interaction was identified as the most effective information delivery system; however, the Internet and mass media play a prominent role in NASA's educational outreach plan. Future research should examine the mass media's perspective on achieving scientific literacy. Another area of exploration should target teachers and students to see whether they are benefiting from NASA's educational efforts. (Contains 26 references; interview questionnaire is appended.) (Author/NKA) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. z