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NASA and Pearson Scott Foresman Launch 'Science in Space Challenge' to Expand Student Interest in Space Exploration and Science

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 October 2004, 06:00 CDT

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first venture of its kind, NASA is teaming up with Pearson Scott Foresman, the leading preK-6 educational publisher, to offer U.S. students the opportunity for their own science and technology investigations to be conducted on a future space mission by a NASA Astronaut. The "Science in Space Challenge" is launching as part of an ongoing partnership through which NASA and Pearson Scott Foresman seek to spark students' imaginations, encourage interest in space exploration, and enhance elementary and secondary science curricula.

The Science in Space Challenge calls for U.S. schoolteachers to submit proposals, on behalf of their students, for an "inquiry-based" science and technology investigation. One entry each from grades K-6 and grades 7-12 will be selected. As the Astronaut performs the selected investigations, teachers and students can follow along via television or the Internet.

The Challenge was announced on Oct. 13 at the Florida Association of Science Supervisors meeting in Orlando, Florida by Paul McFall, President, Pearson Scott Foresman, Dr. Adena Williams Loston, NASA's Chief Education Officer, and Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester.

"Working closely with NASA, we designed this challenge to inspire students on a number of different levels," said McFall. "It will encourage them to tap into their creative energies, see learning in a whole new light, help them to look at their classrooms in ways they might not have done before, and teach them they can make a difference while learning and having fun."

"We want to be involved in shaping the next generation of explorers, and this challenge is an important step towards achieving that goal," said Loston. "Our mission is to ensure that U.S. students reach the highest possible levels in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and keep the future of space exploration on course. And whether a proposal is selected or not, in the long run, everyone wins."

Previous science and technology investigations conducted in space have included research on the physiologic changes that occur in the human body in the microgravity environment; an investigation into changes in the Earth's atmosphere from outer space; the mathematical operations of spacecraft rendezvous in Earth orbit; and how robots are used in space exploration.

A distinguished panel of key NASA science education experts will evaluate and select the entries to be performed in space. Teachers can submit entries by email, regular mail, or fax. Entry forms and information regarding the Science in Space Challenge criteria can be found at http://www.scottforesman.com/.

The deadline for entries is June 3, 2005. NASA and Pearson Scott Foresman will co-announce the winners on or before September 6, 2005. The selected classroom teachers and school principals will be flown to Florida to watch a Space Shuttle launch.

About Pearson Education

Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson Education is the global leader in educational publishing. With brands such as Pearson Scott Foresman, Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Longman, Pearson Learning Group, Pearson Digital Learning, Pearson Addison-Wesley, and many others, Pearson Education provides quality content, assessment tools and educational services in all available media, spanning the learning curve from birth through college and beyond. Pearson Education is part of Pearson , the international media company. Pearson's primary operations also include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

Pearson Education

CONTACT: Rod Granger of Pearson Education, +1-212-782-3486, orrod.granger@pearsoned.com

Web site: http://www.pearsoned.com/http://www.scottforesman.com/

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