From: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov (Peter Yee)
Subject: Educational broadcasts feature role models [Release 92-221] (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Originator: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov
Reply-To: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov (Peter Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 21:56:12 GMT

Terri Sindelar
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone:  202/358-2404)                                   December 11, 1992
		
Patrick Golden
Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Hampton, Va.
(Phone:  804/865-0726)

RELEASE:  92-221

EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTS FEATURE ROLE MODELS

	To encourage students to study math and science, a 5-part series
of teleconferences will be broadcast nationwide highlighting young
minority and female student aerospace researchers as role models for
middle and high school students.

	The series, called "Reaching for the Stars", premiers Dec. 16.
Subsequent programs will be broadcast on Feb. 10, March 17, April 7
and May 12.  Each half-hour telecast begins at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

	"Reaching for the Stars" presents viewers with a realistic picture of
the personal and academic paths five college students, from Virginia
Space Grant Colleges, took to reach their present courses of study in
math, science and engineering.  Students will discuss their research and
teach a lesson on a basic math or science concept pertinent to their
research.

         The experiences of the student researchers featured in this series
will help student viewers understand the need for strong academic
preparation in math and science to take advantage of future high-tech
work opportunities.  The students will discuss factors that influenced
their career choices and suggest ways the student viewers can follow
similar paths.  The television audience can call in questions to the
student researcher during each broadcast.

  	To register for the free "Reaching for the Stars" series, contact Old
Dominion University's Academic Television Services at 800/548-4807.
Sites registering will receive satellite coordinates and resource packets
with additional classroom activities and suggestions for further readings.

	The series also will be broadcast on NASA Select TV, via Satcom
F2R, Transponder 13.

	"Reaching for the Stars" program highlights include:

		% Dec. 16, 1992 - Apriel Hodari, pursuing a master's degree in
physics at Hampton University, is researching the ways in which a laser
can be used to detect windshear Q the sudden change of wind direction
and intensity that can lead to airplane crashes.

		% Feb. 10, 1993 - Rebecca Bourn is in the second year of her
master's program in applied math at the University of Virginia,
Charlottesville.  Bourn has been studying the phenomenon of
turbulence in fluid flow.  Rebecca is using mathematical models to study
the conditions under which turbulence occurs.

		% March 17, 1993 - Wendy Kraus, a senior majoring in chemistry
at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, is studying the
properties of the element boron that may make it an effective protective
coating for a space station or during travel to Mars and beyond.

		% April 7, 1993 - Derrek Dunn is working toward his doctorate
in Electrical Engineering at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.  Dunn is
researching the effects of different Earth orbits on antenna beam
efficiency.

		% May 12, 1993 - Lillianne Troeger,  a mechanical engineering
graduate student at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, is studying how
advanced propulsion systems can be applied to civil transportation.

	"Reaching for the Stars" is co-produced by the Virginia Space
Grant Consortium (VSGC), NASA and Old Dominion University.
Substantial support for this series was provided through NASA
Headquarters' Minority University Research Program and the Education
Division.

	The Virginia Space Grant Consortium is part of a nationwide
network of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship
Program.  The VSGC and its 14 partners in Virginia develop programs
that promote teacher training and curriculum enhancement and
encourage adequate math and science preparation among students for
America's future high-tech workforce needs.
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