Abstract :
Anne Morgan Spalter works with Professor Andries van Dam to design and teach an intensive three week workshop held at Brown University. For the past three summers, local high school teachers have attended the workshop to learn about concepts in 3D graphics and ways in which computer graphics can be used to motivate the teaching of math, science, and art. Using examples provided by workshop participants and mentor teachers, Spalter discusses ways in which institutions like The Graphics and Visualization Center can help teachers learn about a field that now requires knowledge for many disciplines but did not exist as an academic subject when they were in school. Spalter also presents examples of ways in which research scientists can help build bridges between universities and K-12 institutions, helping to ensuring that students will arrive at college or in the workforce with the necessary preparation. During the summer of 1996, Center staff members, Brown University undergraduates, and teacher workshop participants created curricular resources that will be made available over the World Wide Web. Spalter demonstrates these efforts and introduces the Greenhouse Web site that supports them. Such projects will help future workshop participants and the public at large to better understand and teach concepts in computer graphics and their application to other fields such as mathematics, the physical sciences, and art and design
