Terri Sindelar
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                             
(Phone:  202/453-8400)                                                                  February 19, 
1991

Barbara Schwartz
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone:  713/483-5111)

RELEASE:  91-29

SPACE AGE LEARNING TOOLS AVAILABLE


     Although NASA has been sending humans into space for more than 30 years, 
spaceflght is still new to middle school children and basic questions are very 
much on their minds.  With the help of the Astronaut Corps, NASA is producing 
space age learning tools to relate space flight and other scientific concepts to 
teachers and students at all grade levels and subject areas.   NASA today 
released the first in this new series of educational video products.  This new 
video package, Liftoff to Learning: "Space Basics,"  illustrates orbital science.

     "Space Basics" was filmed on location at the NASA Johnson Space Center, 
Houston, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and in orbit onboard Space Shuttle 
mission STS-41.  The 21-minute video combines the answers to basic questions 
with exciting space photography and colorful special effects.  Accompanying 
the tape is an 8-page video resource guide for teachers that provides 
background information on rockets and orbits as well as suggestions for hands-
on classroom activities.  The guide also includes a vocabulary list, reference 
list and details about the crew members.     
  
     Observing that space captures students interest in science,  math and 
technology, NASA is developing a variety of educational materials, including 
video tapes, slide sets and educational publications relating to specific Space 
Shuttle missions and space flight concepts.  For each Shuttle mission a 4-page 
teachers guide, "Mission Watch," will be produced describing the mission, 
payloads, experiments, and science objectives, and includes suggested 
classroom activities and references.  At the end of the mission, a 4-page 
summary report, "Mission Highlights" will be available to educators. 
-  more  -
-  2  -

       These new space age learning products are the result of a team effort 
involving NASA Headquarter's Educational Affairs Division, the Astronaut 
Corps, Space Shuttle Support Office, program and science people, flight 
directors and planners, television production people and public affairs.
    
     Products currently available include:

o  Liftoff to Learning: "Space Basics," video and teachers guide (available
      March 4)
o  "Mission Watch"  teacher's guides for STS-41 and 35
o  "Mission Highlights" summary for STS-41 and 35
o  STS-35 Astro-1 teachers guide and slide set

     The video Liftoff to Learning, "Space Basics," can be taped  at home or at 
school by tuning to Satcom F2R satellite, 72 degrees West longitude, 
transponder 13.  The video will be transmitted at noon and repeated at 6 p.m. 
EST every Tuesday and Thursday in February and will run periodically thoughout  
the month of March. 

       Educators can contact NASA's Teacher Resource Centers for information on 
obtaining copies of the "Space Basics" videotape and resource guide (available 
March 4), "Mission Watch" and "Mission Highlights."  Videotapes and slide sets 
are also available by phoning NASA CORE on 216/744-1051 for information.  
And with a modem, educators can access NASA Spacelink, a computerized space 
education data base on 205/895-0028 for all printed education materials.


     
       

-  end  -


TO:  MDS/PRA Group
      1615 L Street, N.W. - Suite 100
      Washington, D.C. 20036

DATE & TIME:  FEBRUARY 19, 1991

ORDERED BY:  Theresa Houser
NASA Headquarters/PM
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
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PROJECT TITLE:  Release No:  91-029

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