25 Schools Join Unique Partnership With NASA

May 11, 2007

Sonja Alexander
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1761

Debbie V. Nguyen
Jonson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

RELEASE: 07-113

25 SCHOOLS JOIN UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP WITH NASA

HOUSTON - On Friday, NASA will name 25 new NASA Explorer School teams
nationwide to begin a special three-year partnership with the agency.
The announcement is part of a program on NASA Television's digital
Education channel at 12 p.m. CDT.

The goal of the NASA Explorer School program is to use NASA's unique
missions to inspire student learning in science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, and geography.

"NASA is committed to encouraging and working closely with our schools
to foster learning opportunities that highlight innovative science
and mathematic instruction," said Joyce Winterton, NASA associate
administrator for Education, Headquarters, Washington. "Many of the
students in the program today will join us and our many partners as
the scientists, engineers, explorers and researchers of tomorrow."

Each school team will develop a strategic plan to address its
students' needs in mathematics, science and technology education.
Schools also may apply for technology grants of up to $17,500 over
the three-year period to help implement their plans.

The NASA Explorer School Program began in 2003 in collaboration with
the National Science Teachers Association, Arlington, Va. The program
targets fourth through ninth grades. Currently, 200 teams are in the
program. The teams represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The program supports NASA's tradition of investing in the nation's
education programs. It is directly tied to the agency's major
education goal of attracting and retaining students in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. To
compete effectively for the minds, imaginations and career ambitions
of America's young people, NASA is focused on engaging and retaining
students in STEM education programs to encourage their pursuit of
educational disciplines critical to NASA's future engineering,
scientific and technical missions.

For television downlink and scheduling information and links to
Internet streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about NASA's education programs, visit:

www.nasa.gov/education

-end-

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