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Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington        January 24, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1726)

RELEASE: 03-019

EDUCATOR ASTRONAUT REPORT CARD

     Since the new NASA Educator Astronaut Program was launched on 
Tuesday, more than 600 teachers have been nominated to become 
permanent members of the Astronaut Corps. Florida leads with 112 
nominations, followed by 57 from Pennsylvania, and Texas with 55.

Students, family members, friends and the public are encouraged to 
nominate K-12 teachers for this unique opportunity to join NASA's 
first class of Educator Astronauts. Selected teachers will perform all 
the jobs and responsibilities of Mission Specialist Astronauts and 
will be eligible to fly on Space Shuttle missions. Educator Astronauts 
will be trained to go on spacewalks, operate the Shuttle's robotic 
arm, and lead research experiments. With their unique teaching skills, 
Educator Astronauts will create extraordinary ways to share the space 
experience with millions of students and teachers.

Educators interested in applying for the program or anyone interested 
in nominating a teacher can find the qualifications at:

http://edspace.nasa.gov/qualifications/qualif.html

Or call the toll free Educator Astronaut number: 

(877) ED-ASTRO or (877) 332-7876

To learn more about the Educator Astronaut Program and other NASA 
education activities on the Internet visit:

www.edspace.nasa.gov

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