CEREMONY CELEBRATES ORLEANS ELEMENTARY AS NEWEST NASA EXPLORER SCHOOL
Orleans Elementary School in Orleans, Vermont is celebrating an exciting partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The school will officially kickoff the partnership on Friday, Nov.2, 10 a.m. at the school.
Invited guests for this event include Vermont Governor Jim Douglas (R), NASA officials and NASA education representatives. News media interested in attending the kickoff can contact Sherry Lussier at Orleans Elementary School (802) 754-6650 to arrange access to the campus.
The NASA Explorer School (NES) program establishes a three-year partnership between NASA and school teams, consisting of teachers and education administrators from diverse communities across the country. Each year NASA selects a new class of schools in an effort to inspire the next generation of explorers and address the nation’s need to promote student achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Orleans Elementary is one of 25 competitively selected schools in 2007, and is the second Vermont school chosen. There are now a total of 175 schools within the United States that have been honored and include a student population of more than 70,000 students. “In the past four years, Orleans Elementary School has made significant changes in the move to provide 21st century learning opportunities for our children,” said Sandra Stanley, Orleans principal. “This is a reflection of our community’s commitment to its children.”
The school is now eligible for direct teacher and student support for grades 4 through 9. Orleans is also eligible to receive up to $17,500 over the next three-years to purchase and integrate technology tools that support student engagement in science and mathematics activities. The NASA Digital Learning Network will connect the school with NASA scientists and engineers to deliver real time learning opportunities.
The school’s NES team has already begun working with NASA personnel to develop and implement strategic plans using NASA material for teachers and students. The team will also be encouraged to develop and sustain coalitions with businesses in support of STEM activities for the school after the three-year NASA commitment.
"NASA's mission is to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by helping to make learning science and math enriching and enjoyable," said Dr. Robert Gabrys, Chief Education Officer for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "This program provides us another alternative to positively and uniquely impact science and math instruction using STEM-related content in supporting teachers in classrooms across the Nation.”
For more information about the NASA Explorer School Program, please contact Dewayne Washington in the Goddard Public Affairs Office at (301) 286-0040.
For more information about the NASA Explorer Schools program visit:
For information about other NASA Education programs visit:
OES Press Release
