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Gretchen Cook-Anderson
Headquarters, Washington                               April 15, 2003
Phone: 202/358-0836

Jonas Dino  
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.          
Phone: 650/604-5612 or 650/604-9000

RELEASE: 03-141  

NASA OFFERS GLIMPSE INTO CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH

NASA is opening its doors to high school and college students
Thursday for a free online educational opportunity focusing on the
exciting world of information technology research.

The Computing, Information and Communications Technology (CICT)
Program Office at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.,
recognized the need to inspire more students to enter careers in math
and science. To fulfill this need, CICT is collaborating with the
Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, W.Va., to offer a Web-based
course, Future Computing and Communications Technology (FCCT),
detailing the cutting-edge information technology research conducted
at NASA. 

"NASA recognizes the need for the United States to maintain its role
as a world leader in technology. In particular, advances in computing
and communications technologies are critical to the success of future
NASA missions. This online course is one of many activities NASA is
conducting to increase the number of students interested in careers
in math and science," said Dr. Eugene Tu, CICT program manager. "The
concepts and technologies discussed in the course are the
cutting-edge of research, something students will not see in
textbooks for years to come," he said.

The course highlights research and possible career paths at NASA. The
goal of the course is to create a better understanding of the
scientific and technical work within NASA's CICT and emphasize to
students the continuing need for advanced study in scientific and
mathematical fields. NASA researchers and scientists will teach the
eight course sessions. 

The course will be Web cast on Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 15,
2003. Sessions will cover high-speed networking and communications
technologies for Earth and space applications; artificial
intelligence and telepresence; breakthroughs in nanotechnology and
biotechnology; advanced systems development; and simulation
technology. 

The course is free to all registrants. Students who would like to
earn college credit can register with Wheeling Jesuit University. The
final registration day is April 24, 2003. Interested persons may
audit or watch the Web cast at no cost.

Established in 2001, the CICT Program is a NASA-wide effort designed
to address advanced agency requirements in computing and information
and communications technology. For more information about the course
on the Internet, visit: 

http://cictedu.arc.nasa.gov/courses/spring2003/index.html

For more information about the CICT Program on the Internet, visit:

http://cictedu.arc.nasa.gov

For more information about NASA and education programs on the
Internet, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov

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