More than two dozen educators from 14 states are attending a 10-day
workshop for teachers at the NASA Ames Research Center in
California’s Silicon Valley from June 23 through July 6, 2002.

This year nearly 250 other educators will attend similar workshops at
10 NASA centers across the nation. The National Science Teachers’
Association is a partner with NASA in this teacher workshop program.

“The NASA Education Workshop (NEW) is the best-kept secret in
education,” said JoAnn Arthur, a mathematics teacher at Richey High
School in Richey, Mont. “All teachers should fight for an opportunity
to attend.” Arthur successfully competed with hundreds of other
educators for one of 25 spots in the NASA educational workshop at
NASA Ames.

“NASA is about inspiring the next generation of explorers,” said
Donald James, chief of the NASA Ames Education Branch. “These
educators are partners on the front lines.”

“I have seen various technologies not available in Montana. I hope to
be able to bring back content to be implemented in my classroom and
awareness of what scientists do at NASA,” said Frank Hallett, a
physics and chemistry teacher at Fergus High School in Lewistown,
Mont. “The giant wind tunnels used for the development of aviation
advancement were most impressive.”

“I also was impressed with NASA’s commitment and dedication to
education,” he added. “They are making a tremendous effort to help
teachers understand the technology of the future. I want to gain
knowledge and information not available in textbooks.”

“The NASA education workshop program is a unique combination of
scientific and technological information and hands-on experience,”
said NASA Ames educational specialist Tom Clausen, who organized the
workshop at Ames.

During the two weeks, the teachers learn about cutting-edge NASA
projects, visit NASA facilities, attend seminars by NASA researchers,
engineers and technicians, and study topics ranging from aeronautics
to interplanetary exploration.

Components of the workshop are devoted to professional collaboration,
in which teachers share ideas and strategies for translating their
experiences into valuable classroom activities and materials.

The Ames program includes educators from 14 states including Arizona,
California, Colorado, Kansas, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Besides
Arthur and Hallett, other teachers involved in the workshop include:

  • Erinn Ackley, a science teacher at Lincoln County High School in
    Eureka, Mont.
  • Steven Brennecke, a high school science and mathematics teacher at
    Big Bend High School in Terlingua, Texas
  • Teresa Chiles, a geometry teacher at Lewisville High School in
    Lewisville, Texas
  • Ben Curry, a science teacher at Yucca Valley High School in Yucca
    Valley, Calif.
  • Joanne Elston, a chemistry teacher at Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, Texas
  • Bob Henderson, a physics and astronomy teacher at Westminster High
    School in Westminster, Colo.
  • Robert Hill, a high school physical science and chemistry teacher
    at La Center High School in La Center, Wash.
  • Elizabeth James, a high school physics teacher at Derby High School
    in Derby, Kan.
  • Paul T. Johanson, a calculus teacher at Pleasant Grove High School
    in Pleasant Grove, Utah
  • Rachelle Kuznik, an Earth and space science teacher at Hempfield
    Area High School in Greensburg, Pa.
  • Michael Knopp, a mathematics teacher at Northeast School in Arma, Kan.
  • Brian Kruse, a science teacher at Fremont Middle School in Roseburg, Ore.
  • Margaret Lucero, a biology teacher at Irvin High School in El Paso, Texas
  • Deanna Mazanek, a high school science teacher at McLoughlin High
    School in Milton-Freewater, Ore.
  • Mike McGlone, a physics and astronomy teacher at Flower Mound High
    School in Flower Mound, Texas
  • Tracy Morris, a mathematics teacher at Casady School in Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • J. David Quadlin, a mathematics teacher at Horizon High School in
    Scottsdale, Ariz.
  • Melinda Louise Rimbey, a science and mathematics teacher at Turn
    Around School in Eugene, Ore.
  • David Roderick, a science teacher at Northstar Junior High School
    in Kirkland, Wash.
  • Teresa Stricklin, a high school mathematics teacher at Kelly Walsh
    High School in Casper, Wyo.
  • Andy Turgeon, a mathematics teacher at Canton R-V High School in Canton, Mo.
  • Andrea Wood, a high school science teacher at Boerne High School in
    Boerne, Texas

    For additional information about the teacher program, please contact
    Clausen by telephone: 650/604-5544, or by e-email:
    tclausen@mail.arc.nasa.gov

    Images of the teachers, suitable for publication, as well as
    individual news releases with quotes from each teacher, are available
    in high-resolution digital format on the World Wide Web at:

    http://www.amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/2002/02images/educators/educators.html