Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington                                    
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 11-296

NASA OFFERS SHUTTLE TILES AND SPACE FOOD TO SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

WASHINGTON -- NASA is offering space shuttle heat shield tiles and
dehydrated astronaut food to eligible schools and universities. The
initiative is part of the agency's efforts to preserve the Space
Shuttle Program's history and technology and inspire the next
generation of space explorers, scientists and engineers.

The lightweight tiles protected the shuttles from extreme temperatures
when the orbiters re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. The food, which
was precooked or processed so that refrigeration is unnecessary, is
ready to eat or could be prepared simply by adding water or by
heating. Schools can register for a login ID and request a tile or
food at:



http://gsaxcess.gov/NASAWel.htm


Click on the appropriate icon to log on to the request page. Eligible
institutions use National Center for Education Statistics or
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System numbers assigned by
the U.S. Department of Education to apply for the artifacts. Requests
will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because the tiles and food are government property, a transfer
protocol is observed. Recipients will be responsible for a shipping
and handling fee, which is payable to the shipping company through a
secure website. "Tiles for Teachers" are offered for the shipping and
handling fee of $23.40. "Space Food for Schools" is offered in one
package containing about three space food items for a shipping and
handling fee of $28.03.

If additional assistance is needed with registration, send an email
to:



HQ-NASA-AWG@mail.nasa.gov


For more information on tiles, food and other NASA artifacts available
to museums and libraries, visit:



http://artifacts.nasa.gov/


For lesson plans based on the tiles, visit:



http://artifacts.nasa.gov/shuttle_tiles_teachers.htm