A new wave of space-communications developments that benefit classroom teachers will be presented at the Satellites and Education Conference XII, March 10-12, at West Chester University, Pennsylvania, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.

The conference will feature accredited, hands-on user demonstrations on environmental and communication satellites in classrooms, an illustrated briefing on the entire global satellite fleet, and a look at a host of new communications satellites.

Presentations will include a rocket launch from the south campus, an Earth Science Electronic Theater, Surfing the Web for Research Information, Search and Rescue, Satellite Data Available to Home School Educators, and other topics of interest to science teachers and students.

Presentations will be made by representatives of NOAA, NASA, various schools, and the private sector. The conference is sponsored by NOAA, NASA, several private companies, and various educational concerns.

For more information, contact: Nancy McIntyre, West Chester University, 189 Schmucker Hall, West Chester, PA 19383; telephone: 610-436-2393; e-mail: nmcintyre@wcupa.edu. Visit the Web site: http://144.26.13.136