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��������, IL — February 27, 2001 —

Students from Illinois Institute of Technology and Bright elementary school in �������� will team up to tape an episode of NASA Connect, a distance learning show that airs to an audience of 7.5 million. The episode focuses on the International Space Station and will be taped at the Adler Planetarium on March 2, 2001. The show will begin airing April 18th.

“This is a great opportunity for the students from Bright Elementary school,” says Reeves. “It gives them a chance to become involved with the technology of tomorrow and to interact with scientists and engineers.” Bright is an inner city public school in South Deering, ��������.

NASA Connect is an integrated math, science and technology distance-learning program for middle school students and is produced by NASA’s Office of Education. The program airs on NASA TV, a cable station, and is also aired on public broadcasting stations. Teachers can order guides to accompany each show to use in their lesson plans.

NASA chose the Illinois Institute of Technology to take part in the NASA Connect program because its student branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is very active. Bright elementary school teacher Joy Reeves contacted IIT asking for mentors last year. Since then, her sixth grade class has been learning more about engineering and aerospace technology from IIT students.

“IIT was one of only nine schools chosen to participate in the NASA Connect Program,” says Boris Pervan, assistant professor of Aerospace Engineering, and faculty advisor to the student branch of AIAA at the Illinois Institute of Technology. “It strengthens our bond with Bright elementary school and give us another opportunity to teach kids about engineering.”

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.