Teachers are `Go for Launch!` with exciting summer programs from the Space Foundation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.(May. 10, 2004) — For the 17th year, Colorado Springs will be excitement central for teachers from across the country as the Space Foundation hosts another series of summer graduate experiences replete with rockets, robots, telescopes and more. From Mars exploration and space biology to robotics, rocketry, and astronomy, teachers have the opportunity to step outside the classroom to upgrade their skills, earn college graduate credits and learn how to `Launch Learning Excitement!` through exciting Space Foundation offerings. “With the renewed space exploration vision, the Space Foundation has been inundated with calls for teacher support,” said Dr. Patty Arnold, vice president of education and workforce development for the Space Foundation. “This summer’s institute of Space Discovery graduate courses will teach timely meaningful content, effective pedagogy, hands-on problem based learning, all with immediate transference to the classroom.” Teachers can explore five unique ways to reach for the stars this summer:

• Earth Systems Science: Mysterious Mars Revealed – June 21-25 Experience two of Colorado’s most beautiful landmarks, Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods, while learning about rock and plant classifications and discovering amazing parallels between Earth, Mars, and space science.
• Rocketry and the Biology of Living in Space, Space History & Space Law July 12-16 – What’s it like to float in space? You’ll get as close as you can to experiencing micro gravity in this course without donning the astronaut suit. Build and launch your own rocket too!
• Biological & Physical Research – July 19-23 Get the most out of space exploration; discover how nature shapes the evolution of life; and learn how the human body adjusts to space.
• Astronomy Principles for the Classroom – July 26-30 Participants get stars in their eyes, literally, when they explore the night sky during a “field trip” to the Air Force Academy Observatory. Focus on NASA’s Enterprise for Space Science, and study solar systems, galaxies, and the physics of space too.
• Space Technologies in the Classroom – August 2-6 Create robots; learn about GPS and satellite operations; explore real space technologies and their applications on Earth now and into the future.

Participants can take any or all courses to increase their knowledge base, for re-certification credit, salary increments, or to receive a Master’s Degree with a Space Studies emphasis. Registration includes standards-based educational materials, lesson plans and hands-on activities. A limited number of $250 NASA scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register or get more information on Space Discovery graduate courses, visit http://www.spacefoundation.org/education or call the Space Foundation at 1-800-691-4000.

About the Space Foundation
The Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Space Foundation is a national non-profit organization, which vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation recently conducted the second annual Space Career Fair for College Students during the 20th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs and manages an on-site NASA Educational Resource Center. The Foundation offers two distinct Master’s in Space Studies Degrees in conjunction with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Regis University; and has trained more than 30,000 teachers since 1986 on Teaching With Space through Space Discovery graduate courses and national conferences. For more information, visit www.spacefoundation.org.