Educators Selected to Fly on NASA's SOFIA Airborne Observatory

Jan. 25, 2012

Trent J. Perrotto
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0321
trent.j.perrotto@nasa.gov

Nicholas A. Veronico
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
650-604-4589 office, 650-224-8726 cell
nveronico@sofia.usra.edu

RELEASE: 12-027

EDUCATORS SELECTED TO FLY ON NASA'S SOFIA AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- Twenty-six educators from the United States
have been selected for research flights aboard SOFIA, NASA's
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. As participants in
the Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program, the educators will
partner with professional astronomers using SOFIA for scientific
observations in 2012 and 2013.

SOFIA is a modified Boeing 747SP jetliner equipped with a 100-inch
(2.5-meter) diameter telescope. The observatory enables the analysis
of infrared light to study the formation of stars and planets;
chemistry of interstellar gases; composition of comets, asteroids and
planets; and supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies.

"The unique design of SOFIA gives educators hands-on experience with
world-class astronomical research," said John Gagosian, SOFIA program
executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Working with
astronomers, educators participate in a research project from
beginning to end and integrate that unique perspective with classroom
lessons and public outreach programs."

SOFIA's Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program is a yearly
professional development opportunity extended to educators through a
competitive, peer-reviewed process. This year's educators are:

-- Melvin Gorman and Gordon Serkis, Chinle Junior High School in
Chinle, Ariz.
-- Ira Harden and Vincente Washington, City Honors College Preparatory
Charter School in Inglewood, Calif.
-- Clifford Gerstman and Susan Groff, Middle College High School in
Santa Ana, Calif.
-- Mike Cimino, Heritage Middle School, and John Clark, Deltona High
School in Deltona, Fla.
-- Randi Brennon, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences in Pahoa, Hawaii
-- Jo Dodds, Twin Falls Senior High School in Twin Falls, Idaho
-- Ralph Peterson, North Gem High School in Bancroft, Idaho
-- Jennifer Carter and Claudett M. Edie, Rowan County Senior High
School in Morehead, Ky.
-- Chelen Johnson, Breck School in Golden Valley, Minn.
-- Matt Oates, Dilworth STEM Academy in Sparks, Nev.
-- Dan Ruby, Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center in Reno, Nev.
-- Ryan Munkwitz and John Walsh, Southampton Intermediate and High
School in Southampton, N.Y.
-- James Johnson, Children's Center for Treatment & Education in
Custer City, Pa.
-- Adriana Alvarez and Mariela Aguirre, Alicia R. Chacon International
School in El Paso, Texas
-- David V. Black, Walden School of Liberal Arts in Provo, Utah
-- Carolyn Bushman, Wendover Jr./Sr. High School in Wendover, Utah
-- Sarah Scoles, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and Anne Smith,
Green Bank Middle School in Green Bank, W.Va.
-- Constance Gartner, Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan, Wis.

"These educators submitted applications describing how they plan to
take what they learn from SOFIA back to their classrooms and
communities to help promote increased literacy in science,
technology, engineering and math," said astronomer Dana Backman,
manager of SOFIA's education and public outreach programs. "Selection
for this unique opportunity is truly an honor for the educators, as
well as for their local schools and science centers."

SOFIA is a joint program between NASA and the German Aerospace Center
(DLR). The SOFIA program is managed at the Dryden Aircraft Operations
Facility in Palmdale, Calif., where the aircraft is based. NASA's
Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., manages SOFIA science
and mission operations in concert with the Universities Space
Research Association (USRA) in Columbia, Md., and the German SOFIA
Institute (DSI) in Stuttgart, Germany. SOFIA's education and public
outreach programs are managed by the SETI Institute in Mountain View,
Calif., and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in San Francisco.

For more information about SOFIA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/sofia

For information about SOFIA's science mission, visit:

http://www.sofia.usra.edu

and

http://www.dlr.de/en/sofia

-end-

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