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SCIENTIFIC
FRONT
NASA Grants Open The
Stars To Selected Educators
NASA today announced a big step toward
improving the way it brings space science to local communities
around the country.
The agency's Office of Space Science,
at its headquarters in Washington, selected seven recipients
for grants to help space scientists become involved
in educational activities, build partnerships between
the space science and education communities, and serve
as the regional points-of-contact for space scientists
and educators seeking information on and involvement
in NASA's Space Science education and outreach program.
In addition, the program is designed
to provide meaningful opportunities for groups that
might not ordinarily participate in NASA research and
education programs.
"This new selection will deepen connections
between NASA's Office of Space Science and educators
across the country and improve our ability to search
out productive opportunities for the space science community
to participate in education and public outreach," said
Dr. Jeffrey Rosendhal, Director of Education and Public
Outreach for NASA's Office of Space Science. "We also
expect this to provide an injection of fresh ideas and
new capabilities to our educational and public outreach
team."
A representative at each selected institution
will serve as a bridge between the space science and
local and regional education communities, including
formal education, informal education, and public outreach
organizations.
"One goal of this program is to channel
the expertise of the space science community into directions
that will best benefit the educational process andcontribute
to the public understanding of space science," added
Dr. Rosendhal.
"We want to encourage scientists working
on NASA-funded research in communities throughout the
country to get involved in bringing space science into
the local educational systems and communities in creative
ways. The Broker/Facilitators we selected today will
work with these scientists to bring space science to
areas such as local schools, museums, libraries, service
organizations and others to help meet the unique needs
of each region," he said.
The program will work to build partnerships
between those scientists and professional educators
to ensure both the scientific integrity and the educational
usefulness of the projects and products that are created.
Each award is for 5 years, at approximately
$300K per year, starting in January 2002.
The individuals and institutions
receiving the awards are:
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Dr. Kathleen Johnson, Lunar and Planetary Institute,
Houston
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Dr. Julie H. Lutz, University of Washington, Seattle
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Dr. Cherilynn A. Morrow, Space Science Institute,
Boulder, Colo.
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Dr. Nitin Naik, Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling,
W. Va.
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Dr. Carolyn C. Narasimhan, Depaul University, Chicago
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Dr. Cassandra Runyon, College of Charleston, Charleston,
S.C.
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Dr. Cary I. Sneider, Museum of Science, Boston
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