May 04, 2009

Stephanie Schierholz Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4997 stepanie schierholz@nasa gov

Jeannette Owens Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 216-433-2990 jeannette p owens@nasa gov

Jenna Maddix Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 jenna c maddix@nasa gov
MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-075

NASA CONNECTS ATLANTA STUDENTS TO ASTRONAUTS ON SPACE STATION

WASHINGTON -- Students from the Ronald E McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Atlanta will participate in an out-of-this-world learning experience on Wednesday, May 5, when they receive a call from astronauts aboard the International Space Station The downlink will air live worldwide on NASA Television and also be available on NASA's Web site This is the second event of its kind to be held in the state of Georgia

A live in-flight education downlink with the crew will take place between 11:15 a m and 11:35 a m EDT at the Fernbank Science Center in Dekalb County The 20-minute question-and-answer event will feature astronauts Mike Barratt and Koichi Wakata, who are flight engineers aboard the Expedition 19 mission to the station

Students and teachers are preparing for the downlink by visiting the NASA Web site to learn about the station, crew members, mission objectives and science experiments Following the event, students will engage in hands-on activities, such as a robotic space mission challenge and rocket building

NASA's education downlinks support the agency's efforts to encourage students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM These events, which NASA's Teaching from Space Office facilitate, use the unique experience of human spaceflight to promote and enhance STEM education

Fernbank Science Center is part of NASA's Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy program known as SEMAA SEMAA is a national, innovative project designed to increase participation and retention of historically underserved and underrepresented kindergarten through 12th grade youth in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics

"We're excited about this extraordinary learning experience to inspire SEMAA students' interest in STEM careers," said Jo Ann Charleston, chief of the Educational Programs Office at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland "Stimulating interest in these disciplines helps NASA develop the next generation of scientists and engineers who will take us back to the moon, on to Mars and beyond "

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

http://www nasa gov/ntv

For information about NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov/education

For information about NASA's Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy, visit:

http://www nasa gov/centers/glenn/education/SEMAA_GRC html

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