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Educator
Astronaut Report Card: Science Teachers Express Support
Science teachers
across the Nation overwhelmingly believe educators belong on future
NASA Space Shuttle missions, according to an email-based survey
conducted by the world's largest science teacher's organization
following the Columbia tragedy.
The survey,
conducted by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) February
10-14, indicates more than 91 percent of science teachers should
have a place aboard future Space Shuttle missions, and the endeavor
has great educational value. Science teachers also believe Educator
Astronauts could spark student interest in science and mathematics
careers. Science teachers also strongly believe Educator Astronauts
can serve as role models to instill in students an understanding
of how science and mathematics are applicable in the real world.
Educator Astronaut
Barbara Morgan, Educator Astronaut Program Co-Managers, Leland Melvin
and Debbie Brown, will be attending the NSTA Convention in Philadelphia
March 27-30, 2003 to encourage teachers to apply to become permanent
members of the Astronaut Corps.
Morgan and Brown
will speak at a Special Feature Presentation March 29 at 8 a.m.
in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and Morgan will be the guest
lecturer at the Aerospace Educators Luncheon from noon to 2 p.m.
EST, also in the convention center.
The Educator
Astronaut Program has received more than 5,300 nominations since
the program debuted on January 21. Texas leads with 831, followed
by Florida with 482, and California with 416.
The application
deadline is quickly approaching. Nominations and applications for
NASA's Educator Astronaut Program are due by April 30.
Information
about the National Science Teachers Association survey is available
at:
http://www.nsta.org/pressroom&news_story_ID=47920
Information
about the National Science Teachers Association National Convention
is available at: http://www.nsta.org/main/pressreg/pressrelease.asp
To learn more
about the Educator Astronaut Program and other NASA education activities
on the Internet, visit: http://edspace.nasa.gov
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