FOR RELEASE: July 24, 1997

Dave Drachlis
Office of Media Services
(205) 544-0034

RELEASE: 97-141

LOCAL TEACHER PARTICIPATES IN EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT NASA CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALA.

Donald Gibbs, a teacher at Arab Junior High School in Arab, Ala., is participating in a hands-on educational program this summer to learn more about the U.S. space program and help develop new teaching aids for science classroom use.

Gibbs is one of 17 teachers from six states attending the Summer Teacher Enrichment Program at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

During the seven-week program, which concludes this week, teachers are observing and working with NASA scientists and engineers in Marshall laboratories. They are exchanging ideas with NASA colleagues and learning about Marshall's science and engineering programs.

"The close exposure to everyday applications of mathematics, science and technology provides the teachers with numerous examples and ideas for enhancing classroom instruction," said Jeff Ehmen, an educational specialist with Marshall's Education Programs Office.

Participants attend educational seminars to learn about new teaching techniques and help develop new teaching materials for use in the classroom. They are also introduced to NASA resources available on the World Wide Web.

"These teachers participate in hands-on projects at Marshall, such as how modern technology relates to the classroom," said Ehmen. "Then they take these real life experiences back home to their respective schools."

The Marshall Center is one of the space agency's primary installations, and leads NASA's efforts in the areas of microgravity research and development of space transportation systems.

Prepared by Joy Carter