PASADENA, Texas – The San Jacinto College Aerospace & Biotechnology Academy, in conjunction with NASA / Johnson Space Center, will host the Pre-Service Teacher Institute (PSTI) July 6-18, 2008. Interested participants have until May 30, 2008, to apply.

The program is a two-week summer residential session for Early Childhood and Elementary Education majors preparing to teach at an elementary or middle school. College students from diverse backgrounds will spend a dynamic and exciting time at NASA / JSC where they will be exposed to aerospace, mathematics and science enrichment activities. Pre-service teachers will collaborate with NASA personnel and tour the Johnson Space Center while learning to incorporate NASA’s cutting-edge research into lesson plans for elementary and intermediate school students.

Fifteen participants will be chosen through an application process based on certain criteria, including recommendation letters and a 1,000 word or fewer essay. Each participant will receive transportation from their city of residence to Houston, housing for the week, supplies, a meal stipend and $500 upon completion of the program.

This is the third year that the San Jacinto College Aerospace & Biotechnology Academy and NASA / JSC have collaborated on the PSTI program. Alissa A. Keil Reduced Gravity Program Coordinator at NASA, says the theme for this year’s program is “Exploration.”

“We will provide pre-service teachers the opportunity to apply what they have been learning, and add to their many resources as they enter the teaching profession,” Keil noted. “Learning to teach science, math, and technology is a life-long endeavor, and teachers will learn to teach new curriculum throughout their career.”

To be considered for the program, candidates must be a rising full-time college junior or senior, or have just completed an undergraduate degree. Applicants must carry at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA, be a U.S. citizen, have successfully completed at least one math or science course, and be an early childhood or elementary education major. Candidates must also be enrolled at a pre-determined college or university in Texas, Oklahoma or New Mexico. For a list of institutions, please visit the PSTI website at http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/psti. 

The PSTI is made possible through the generosity of the Office of Education – Space Operations, and NASA Langley Research Center.

For more information about the San Jacinto College Aerospace & Biotechnology Academy, please visit http://www.aerospace-academy.org/. Information about San Jacinto College can be found at http://www.sanjac.edu/.