About LRC

The Learning Resource Center (LRC), located on the first floor of the Library, provides access to a wide variety of educational resources and materials.

Policies

Currently enrolled students, staff and faculty are allowed to check out any educational materials available within the Learning Resource Center. Items may be checked out at the circulation desk and will require a university ID (STING CARD).

Materials

State-Adopted Text Books

Educational Activity Books and Guides

Education Professional Development Guides

Rio Grande Valley school curriculum guides

Educational subject curriculum guides

Educational Instructional Packets

Juvenile Collection (Includes bilingual materials)

Related Education Links

Texas Education Agency Clearinghouse of information related to education in Texas. Provides news, school laws and rules, school data, TEA publications. Also includes TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), and additional info about curriculum, assessment, educational programs, accreditation, and grants.

U.S. Department of Education - Provides information related to education news, research, funding opportunities, statistics. Allow users to browse by topic or search by keyword. Also includes a directory of additional education resources on the Web.

About NASA ERC

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College (UTB/TSC) is a member of the NASA Educator Resource Center Network (ERCN). The purpose of the NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC) is to help educators learn about and use NASA’s educational resources.
The NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC) is located at the Learning Resources Center (LRC) in Room 111 of the Arnulfo L. Oliveira Memorial Library. The center provides services and materials to those in the Texas educational community including teachers, librarians, school administrators, pre-service education majors, scout leaders, public and private schools, colleges and universities, and other education-related groups.
The materials provide K-University curriculum supplements that present lessons in science, mathematics, technology, and geography. All materials are aligned with national education standards and appropriate state frameworks and are based on NASA’s unique mission and results.

NASA Instructional Materials

NASA instructional materials are created to utilize a variety of media and delivery methods. The ERC is equipped to provide educator’s the opportunity to preview, copy, and receive NASA instructional products in all forms. Most materials available at the ERC are free to educators. The ERC does receive a limited supply of materials, therefore individuals are limited to 1 copy of all free materials and of course availability is subject to demand. A self-serve copy machine is available for duplicating print materials at a cost $.10 per page. Audio-visual previewing stations are available for previewing all audio-visual formats of NASA materials. There is no charge for duplicating audio/visual materials. Educators must simply bring a new blank VHS video cassette or new blank audio cassette to the center to have materials duplicated. The center provides computers for pre-viewing software and NASA resources on the internet and a station for viewing 35mm slides. The center does not have equipment for duplicating computer software or 35mm slides.

NASA Educational Materials

• Educational Briefs – an activity related to a specific concept related to NASA research.
• Educators Guides - a series of concepts and activities related to NASA research.
• Educational Programs – brochures on the many NASA educational programs available to the public.
• Educational Topics – book marks and one-page fliers with a brief explanation of a NASA science topic on one side and a related hands-on activity on the opposite side.
• Educational Wallsheets – Educational posters with images related to NASA initiatives accompanied by hands-on student activities on the reverse side (often include activities for multiple grade levels).
• Lithographs – 8 ½” x 11” photos and illustrations printed on heavy card stock, usually have information and students activities on reverse side.
• Educational Slide Sets – 35mm slides usually accompanied by an audio cassette.
• Educational Video Tapes – VHS tapes of programs from a variety of NASA series including: Liftoff to Learning, NASA CONNECT, NASA SCIence Files, and NASA…On the Cutting Edge.

Policies

The NASA ERC provides any and all educators, including resource teachers, librarians, school administrators, pre-service education majors, scout leaders, public and private schools, colleges and universities with free educational materials. Materials are only free and available to educators. Educators can take any information they feel would be appropriate and beneficial to their students. Any educator wishing to acquire materials will be asked to fill out a NASA Education Evaluation System form for statistical purposes.

Related Links

NASA Home Page - Starting point for all things NASA.

NASA Education Home Page – Information about all NASA educational programs and services offered for the American education community.

NASAexplores - Each week two new articles are published about a current NASA Aerospace

Technology or HEDS project. - NASAexplores educators adapt the articles for three grade levels: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Lesson plans/activities support the concepts raised by the articles. These materials incorporate and support national educational standards in math, science, geography, and technology. Additionally, topics align with standard subject areas, such as chemistry, biology, algebra, etc.

NASA Explorer Schools (NES) - Applications due on January 31st of each year. The NASA Educational Workshops (NEW) have been replaced by NASA Explorer Schools (NES). Selected school teams of educators and administrators will join NASA in a three-year partnership for sustained professional development to develop rich learning opportunities in mathematics, science, and technology for students and families...

NASA CORE - NASA educational multimedia materials used by the ERCs are available for a minimal fee from NASA Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE).

Johnson Space Center Education and Student Programs - This site contains links, program descriptions, and program contact information for many NASA-Wide educational programs and other related programs. The programs are conveniently organized into the following categories: programs for students (K-12), students (university), educators, minorities and women; and resources & links (all grades).

The NASA SCIence Files - Find program summaries, find free ways to obtain episodes, download educator’s guides, and located interactive web activities. The NASA SCIence Files is an annual series of FREE integrated instructional programs for grades 3-5. Each program supports the national mathematics, science, and technology standards and has three components that include (1) a 60-minute television broadcast, which can be viewed live or taped for later use; (2) a companion educator’s guide; and (3) an interactive web site featuring a Problem-Based Learning activity that enables students to further explore topics presented in the broadcast. Episodes from past seasons are available for viewing and duplication at the ERC.

NASA CONNECT - Find program summaries, find free ways to obtain episodes, download educator’s guides, and located interactive web activities. NASA CONNECT is an annual series of FREE integrated instructional programs for grades 6-8. Each program supports the national mathematics, science, and technology standards and has three components that include (1) a 30-minute television broadcast, which can be viewed live or taped for later use; (2) an interactive web activity which provides educators an opportunity to integrate technology in the classroom setting; and (3) a lesson guide including a hands-on activity. Episodes from past seasons are available for viewing and duplication at the ERC.

Space Science Educator Resource Directory – A searchable, web-based database of space science education resources for K-12 teachers and students, including lesson plans, educator guides, student activities, and websites.

About the Audio Visual Collection

An extensive collection of multimedia resources is housed in the Learning Resource Center. This diverse collection consists of documentaries, feature films, instructional videos, music recordings and much more. Highlights of the collection include local productions, PBS documentary series, award-winning films, and an extensive collection of art slides.

Equipment

Items in the audio visual collection can be viewed using equipment in the Learning Resource Center. Equipment is for LIBRARY USE ONLY, and may not be removed from the building. Below is a list of equipment available:

• Cassette Players
• CD Players
• DVD Players
• Slide Projectors
• Television Viewing Stations
• VCR Players/Recorders

Policies & Loan Periods:

Circulation of audio visual materials is restricted to UTB/TSC faculty and staff only. Students may view DVDs and videos in the Library. A University ID (STING CARD) is required to use or check out any multimedia resources. Audio visual materials may be checked out according to the following loan policy:

Faculty:	6 videos for 7 days
Staff:	6 videos for 7 days
Students:	Library use only