NASA sends teachers to Chile

A NASA expedition to Chile this week is part of its Spaceward Bound pilot program to challenge U.S. teachers to design and implement real field research.

Seven NASA Explorer Schools teachers Monday joined a team of scientists in Chile's Atacama Desert. The teachers, along with planetary experts and technologists demonstrating communications and robot rover technology, will study the border between life and sterility in the area known for similarities to the moon and Mars.

Spaceward Bound is designed to immerse teachers in NASA exploration through field research. In addition to building their own knowledge, teachers will also work to develop classroom content and new instruction methods.

Teachers selected for expedition: Matthew Allner, West Middle School, Sioux City, Iowa; Catherine Campbell, Scarlett Middle School, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Geoffrey Hammond, Lake View Elementary School, Huntington Beach, Calif.; Karie Trupka, Circle of Nations School, Wahpeton, N.D.; Koby van Beest, Mascoma Valley Regional High School, Canaan, N.H.; Cherlyn Anderson, Sandhills Middle School, Gaston, S.C.; and Phyllis Krueger, Key Peninsula Middle School, Lakebay, Wash.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

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