Astronaut Michael Barratt will meet with students to help kick off a new partnership between NASA and a San Diego school dedicated to teaching students about science and technology. Barratt and education specialists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will visit Johnson Elementary School, Magnet for Space Exploration and Technology, in San Diego on Wed., Oct. 11. The school is one of 25 selected nationwide to be part of the NASA Explorer Schools program.

During an afternoon assembly, Barratt and NASA Associate Administrator Scott Pace will make a presentation and share NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration with students. A family night filled with hands-on activities will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

When: Wed., Oct. 11, student assembly from 2:20 p.m.-3:15 p.m.; family night at 6:00 p.m.

Who: Astronaut Michael Barratt, NASA Associate Administrator Scott Pace

Where: Johnson Elementary School, Magnet for Space Exploration and Technology, 1355 Kelton Road, San Diego

Barratt is currently in training for long duration flight on the International Space Station. He is certified in internal and aerospace medicine and was previously assigned as a NASA Flight Surgeon working in Space Shuttle Medical Operations.

Johnson Magnet School, as part of the NASA Explorer School program, has a three-year partnership with JPL. The Explorer Schools program is addressing the nation’s need to promote student achievement in mathematics and science studies through activities that use exciting NASA research, discoveries and missions. The goal of the program is to inspire students in grades 4 through 9 to pursue careers in science, math and technology.

Johnson Magnet serves approximately 350 students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Each student visits computer, technology and space science labs every week.

For information about the NASA Explorer Schools Program on the Internet, visit http://explorerschools.nasa.gov .

For more information about JPL’s education programs on the Internet, visit http://education.jpl.nasa.gov .