Close to 300 scientists and science educators from around the country will convene in Chicago June 12 through 14 for a conference sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Office of Space Science (OSS), Education and Public Outreach program and hosted by DePaul University.

The conference, to be held at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., aims to provide NASA scientists and administrators, science professionals and educators with an opportunity to explore developments in science education and to discuss ways to improve space science instruction in the classroom.

NASA established the OSS Education and Public Outreach program five years ago as part of an overall commitment to improving mathematics education and scientific and technological literacy in the United States. DePaul has served as a space science education broker/facilitator for NASA since 1998.

According to Carolyn Narasimhan, director of the university’s NASA Space Science Center for Education and Outreach, the conference marks the first organized opportunity for members of diverse communities, including space scientists and educators, to engage in discussions about issues in space science and outreach. “This is an exciting opportunity for all of us involved in science education to identify the needs of educators, museums and the general public and to examine the ways that we are forming successful partnerships for educational and outreach initiatives,” she said.

Two keynote addresses will be delivered June 12. Edward J. Weiler, NASA associate administrator for space science, will address the conference from 11:15 a.m. to noon; and Maria Alicia Lopez-Freeman, executive director of the California Science Project, will speak from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Issues to be addressed at the meeting include those related to formal education, and those concerning such informal educational settings as planetariums and museums. A sampling of the diverse presentations is as follows:

· “Windows on the Universe – Taking Under-Served Communities to the Frontier”: Jeff Goldstein, vice president for space science research at the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in Alexandria, Va., will discuss the center’s successful project that was launched in 1999 to reach under-served communities with limited space flight and space science education resources. The project uses human space flight simulation and the space sciences within a multi-disciplinary context to engage entire communities. A new Challenger Center will open in the Chicago area soon.

· “Science Educators: The Once and Future Storytellers”: Lynn Moroney, a Chicksaw storyteller and author, will demonstrate for educators how to teach science education using a creative approach. She uses world sky myths, particularly the skylore of Native Americans, to help children and adults reconnect with the enchanting aspects of the universe.

· “Reaching the Spanish-Speaking Community Through the Adler Course Program”: Jose F. Salgado, teacher at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, recently offered a first Spanish language astronomy course as part of an effort to reach the large Spanish-speaking population of Chicago. Salgado will talk about how the success of this course has led to regularly scheduled Spanish-language courses at the planetarium, as well as the exploration of other opportunities to interact with the Spanish-speaking community.

· “Building a Technology Culture in 29 Chicago Public Schools”: Don York, the Horace B. Horton Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago, created a sustainable technology culture in schools on Chicago’s South Side. After four years of partnership, the program has provided computer training for hundreds of teachers and trained 160 teachers in the use of technology to create curriculum. York will discuss the challenges and successes of his project.

A conference program and more information are available at the conference Web site: http://analyzer.depaul.edu/ossconference.