PASADENA, Texas – The San Jacinto College Aerospace and Biotechnology Academy, in conjunction with Space Center Houston, will take distance education to a new level this Fall with the “Exploring Space in the Classroom” program.

A digital, interactive, real-time classroom event, “Exploring Space in the Classroom” will offer elementary and middle school teachers a live event from multiple locations on the museum floor at Space Center Houston. There will be four space-themed events for teachers to choose from. “Floating Food Puffy Faces” allows students to see the astronaut’s home in space, including where they sleep and eat, and teaches students how astronauts adapt to their home in space. “Pull Yourself into some Space” teaches students about the influences of Newton’s Laws of Motion and how they differ from Earth to orbit. “More than Science: The Impact of Rocketry” will explore the history and science of rocketry, and students will explore actual spacecraft flown in orbit. Finally, “To Infinity and Beyond” will provide students with the excitement of a starry night. Students will explore a telescope and view America’s first floating observatory.

The interactive broadcasts will allow students in the classroom and presenters at Space Center Houston to see and speak to each other in real time. Teachers selected to participate in the program will receive a $100 stipend, classroom materials and a pre-event mini teacher training session.

“This project brings the excitement of space exploration right into the classroom through an interactive digital learning network hosted by Space Center Houston,” said Scott Hairston, Project Coordinator – Grants Development for the San Jacinto College Aerospace and Biotechnology Academy and NASA-Johnson Space Center. “The overall goal of the program is to capture and inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

Funding for the program is provided by Boeing, who continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of innovative education projects. Interested teachers (grades 3 through 8) should contact Scott Hairston at jason.s.hairston@nasa.gov.

For more information about the San Jacinto College Aerospace and Biotechnology Academy, please visit http://www.aerospace-academy.org/.