NASA officials and astronaut Leland Melvin will visit
several schools and universities in Puerto Rico April 7-10.
They will encourage students in their pursuit of higher
education and provide educators with unique resources to
create learning activities and opportunities.

As part of NASA’s commitment to inspiring the next generation
of explorers, the visit is part of Science, Engineering and
Technology Week sponsored by the Universidad del Turabo. The
purpose is to give hundreds of teachers and students the
opportunity to engage in the experience of space flight, gain
a better understanding of NASA’s education programs, and
aerospace career opportunities. NASA representatives will
also visit University of Puerto Rico campuses at Aguadilla
and Mayaguez.

Teachers and students will attend educational and career
workshops, launch model rockets, and listen to inspiring
presentations to help stimulate interest in science, math and
technology education through the excitement of space
exploration.

Participants will also learn first-hand about NASA’s Educator
Astronaut Program (EAP), an out-of-this-world opportunity for
teachers to become permanent members of NASA’s Astronaut
Corps. Unveiled in January, the EAP is part of NASA’s effort
to connect space exploration with the classroom. Teachers who
want the opportunity to join the Educator Astronaut Program
may apply using the Educator Astronaut Web site at:

http://edspace.nasa.gov

The application deadline is April 30, 2003. Educators with
questions about the program, or who do not have access to the
Internet, can call (877/332-7876) toll-free. The program has
already received more than 6,800 teacher nominations.

Students, educators, parents, and anyone interested in
participating in the EAP can nominate a teacher, and also
join the Educator Astronaut “Earth Crew.” The Earth Crew is
a Web-based interactive initiative linking audiences with
education activities and programs, astronaut profiles, living
and working in space, and basic information about NASA.

Science, Engineering and Technology Week activities:

Monday, April 7

8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. EST (University of Turabo)

1 p.m.- 3 p.m. EST (University of Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Cayey)

  • Science and Math Educator’s Day
  • Speakers, presentations, workshops

Tuesday, April 8 (University of Turabo)

8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. EST

  • Math Olympiad Competition
  • School visits, workshops, computer demonstrations

EAP Visits:

  • 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. EST (Ramey School)
  • 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. EST (University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla)
  • 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EST (University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)

Wednesday, April 9 (University Of Turabo)

8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. EST

  • NASA Pre-college Programs presentation
  • Sowing seeds in Science, Engineering and Technology
  • High school students solar boat, plane, rocket and cardemonstrations

Thursday, April 10 (University of Turabo)

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • NASA Educational Day with model presentations, engineering demonstrations
  • Math “blast” activity

For more information about other NASA education initiatives
on the Internet, visit:

http://education.nasa.gov/

For more information about NASA, on the Internet visit:

http://www.nasa.gov