Posted on: Monday, January 31, 2005

NASA sends mission to two Hawai'i schools

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — NASA's chief education officer, Adena Williams Loston, and two astronauts will offer students at two Hawai'i schools a Vision for Space Exploration.

Today, Loston and space station Expedition 9 astronaut Michael Fincke will visit Waimea Middle School on the Big Island.

Tomorrow, astronaut Richard Linnehan, a veteran of three space shuttle missions, will join Loston at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Lihu'e on Kaua'i.

The facilities are Hawai'i's two NASA Explorer Schools.

Loston and the astronauts will discuss the Vision for Space Exploration and how the students will play a part in making the vision a reality.

The two Hawai'i schools were among the first 50 NASA Explorer Schools, selected in 2003.

During their first year as Explorer Schools, students and school staff participated in NASA-inspired enrichment activities, including a downlink from the International Space Station, visits from NASA aerospace education specialists and teacher workshops.

The three-year partnership is designed to give students the foundation and inspiration to pursue careers in science, mathematics and technology.