NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

RELEASE : 06-081 NASA Takes Education Events on the Road to Charlotte NASA brings the excitement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to Charlotte, N.C., during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament, Feb. 27 to March 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

With more than 5,000 students attending NASA awareness activities, the agency is using this opportunity to provide information about training and research programs. NASA will feature exhibits, robotics demonstrations and arrange astronaut photo opportunities to help stimulate interest and emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

Two agency education programs will also be featured: the NASA Explorer Schools program offers science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning opportunities for educators, students and families; the Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology program elicits the involvement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities in recruiting undergraduates to enter science and engineering fields.

During the tournament, NASA education team members will visit two middle schools and Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. In partnership with Smith, NASA will sponsor workshops to provide future teachers and higher education faculty information to enhance their ability to instruct mathematics and science through technology.

Astronaut Joan Higginbotham, one of two African-American women scheduled to fly in space, will also speak with students at the schools. To schedule a media interview with her, contact Sonja Alexander at: (202) 358-1761.

At the Smith University Technology Center at 10 a.m. EST, Thursday, NASA and university officials will answer media questions about education programs. For media access, contact: Benny Smith at: (704) 378-1032. The Tech Center is at 100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.

NASA Charlotte events:

- March 1 8:00 a.m. NASA Awareness Day, Charlotte Convention Center
- March 1 9:30 a.m. Robotic Competition, Charlotte Convention Center
- March 2 10:00 a.m. NASA/Smith University Press Conf., Tech Center
- March 2 1:00 p.m. Ranson Middle School, Charlotte
- March 3 10:00 a.m. Coulwood Middle School, Charlotte
- March 2/3 8:00 a.m. NASA Teacher Workshops, Smith University

For information about NASA's education programs on the Web, visit:

http://education.nasa.gov/home

For information about NASA and agency programs ion the Web, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home

For information about the tournament on the Web, visit:

http://www.ciaatournament.org/

- end -

---

text-only version of this release

NASA press releases and other information are available automatically by sending a blank e-mail message to hqnews-subscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov. To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a blank e-mail message to hqnews-unsubscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov.

Back to NASA Newsroom | Back to NASA Homepage