Local Students Putting a Project in Space 12/13/05

STUDENTS AT WYOMING VALLEY WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL USE AN AIR PUMP TO FUEL THEIR ROCKET LAUNCH. NATS- 22, 23, 24, 25--- TAKE OFF WHEN IT BLASTS OFF....STUDENTS CALCULATE HOW HIGH THE ROCKET TRAVELS. THEN IT`S HEADS UP AS IT MAKES IT`S WAY BACK TO THE GROUND. THE ROCKET LAUNCH IS JUST ONE OF MANY PROJECTS PHIL PACK GUIDES STUDENTS THROUGH AS PART OF A NASA-SPONSORED LEARNING TEAM. Phil Pack W.V.W. Middle School Teacher "THEY HAD NEVER DEALT WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT BEFORE. THEY`D HAD STRICTLY COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND IT`S JUST GOTTEN BIGGER EVERY YEAR." INSIDE THE SCHOOL... STUDENTS RESEARCH PROJECTS ONLINE USING NASA`S WEBSITE....AND EVEN CHAT LIVE WITH NASA SCIENTISTS USING WEBCASTS. STUDENTS SAY THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE IS EXCITING. Twoline Alex Sickler W.V.W. 8th Grader "ALWAYS KINDA WANTED TO BE IN NASA. IT`S MORE THAN SHOOTING ROCKETS OFF TO THE MOON. IT`S A LITTLE MORE FUN. Emily Christ W.V.W. 7th Grader "GETTING TO TALK TO SCIENTISTS AND PRESENTING ALL OUR IDEAS FOR OUR ASSIGNMENTS." TAKE A LOOK AT THIS SPACE SUIT THEY DESIGNED FOR ASTRONAUTS ON MARS. IT`S IDEAS AND TEAMWORK THESE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THAT NASA WANTS TO SEE IN FUTURE EMPLOYEES. "THEY WANT PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK IN A TEAM. PEOPLE WITH GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP THAT IN THE KIDS." SO WHETHER THEY`RE INSIDE...LEARNING ONLINE....OR OUTSIDE...THESE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THE SKILLS THAT CAN LAUNCH A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. IN KINGSTON, AMY BRADLEY, WBRE NEWS. NASA SELECTED ONE STUDENT`S PROJECT.. TO FLY ON A NASA SPACECRAFT INTO SPACE. YOU CAN TRACK THOSE PROJECTS ONLINE ON THE NASA WEBSITE.