Orbiting Space Shuttle Astronauts Answer Questions From Students Nationwide

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students in elementary and middle schools nationwide will have their questions about space answered live on Feb. 14 by space shuttle astronauts orbiting 220 miles above Earth.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

The students, who attend nine NASA Explorer Schools nationwide, submitted their questions to NASA via video. Space shuttle Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire will answer the students' questions on NASA TV. The call is targeted for 10:34 p.m. to 10:54 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 14, but could take place five to 15 minutes earlier or later. Viewers should consult the NASA TV schedule to confirm timing. Any questions the astronauts do not answer will be answered later by subject matter experts during an event on NASA's Digital Learning Network.

Virts and Hire launched to space Monday, Feb. 8, aboard space shuttle Endeavour from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During their 13-day mission, Endeavour's crew are conducting three spacewalks and delivering the Tranquility node and a cupola to expand the space station.

The NASA Explorer Schools that submitted video questions are:

- Phenix City Intermediate School in Phenix City, Ala.

- Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School in Elk Grove, Calif.

- Sequoia Middle School in Portersville, Calif.

- Vintage Math, Science and Technology Magnet School in North Hills, Calif.

- Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School in Sanford, Fla.

- Stewart Magnet Middle School in Tampa, Fla.

- Vance Elementary School in Asheville, N.C.

- Vernon School in Portland, Ore.

- John B. Cary Elementary School in Richmond, Va.

The NASA Explorer Schools project establishes a three-year partnership between NASA and schools in diverse communities to address local challenges in science, technology, and mathematics education. The goal is to bring educators, administrators, students, and families together in sustained involvement with NASA's education programs.

The event is part of a series with educational organizations in the U.S. and abroad to improve teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The in-orbit call is part of Teaching From Space, a NASA project that uses the unique environment of human spaceflight to promote learning opportunities and build partnerships with the kindergarten through 12th grade education community.

NASA Television will air video of Virts and Hire during the downlink. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA Explorer Schools, visit:

http://explorerschools.nasa.gov

For information about NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

For information about the space shuttle, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

SOURCE NASA