November 11, 2004: Headlines: COS - Sierra Leone: Space: Science: Service: News Observer: Five years ago, Mae Jemison came to Clayton to promote the launch of a partnership between Bayer Healthcare and Johnston County Schools to teach a new hands-on science program in four of the district's elementary schools. She returned Wednesday, when the pharmaceutical company gave Johnston schools the largest of its five yearly grants -- $50,000 -- to expand the program to all 19 Johnston elementary schools.

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Sierra Leone: Special Report: Sierra Leone Peace Corps Medical Officer and NASA Mission Specialist Dr. Mae Jemison: November 11, 2004: Headlines: COS - Sierra Leone: Space: Science: Service: News Observer: Five years ago, Mae Jemison came to Clayton to promote the launch of a partnership between Bayer Healthcare and Johnston County Schools to teach a new hands-on science program in four of the district's elementary schools. She returned Wednesday, when the pharmaceutical company gave Johnston schools the largest of its five yearly grants -- $50,000 -- to expand the program to all 19 Johnston elementary schools.

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-36-89.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.36.89) on Friday, November 12, 2004 - 9:20 pm: Edit Post

Five years ago, Mae Jemison came to Clayton to promote the launch of a partnership between Bayer Healthcare and Johnston County Schools to teach a new hands-on science program in four of the district's elementary schools. She returned Wednesday, when the pharmaceutical company gave Johnston schools the largest of its five yearly grants -- $50,000 -- to expand the program to all 19 Johnston elementary schools.

Five years ago, Mae Jemison came to Clayton to promote the launch of a partnership between Bayer Healthcare and Johnston County Schools to teach a new hands-on science program in four of the district's elementary schools. She returned Wednesday, when the pharmaceutical company gave Johnston schools the largest of its five yearly grants -- $50,000 -- to expand the program to all 19 Johnston elementary schools.

Five years ago, Mae Jemison came to Clayton to promote the launch of a partnership between Bayer Healthcare and Johnston County Schools to teach a new hands-on science program in four of the district's elementary schools. She returned Wednesday, when the pharmaceutical company gave Johnston schools the largest of its five yearly grants -- $50,000 -- to expand the program to all 19 Johnston elementary schools.

Mae Jemison talks science at West Clayton Elementary School

By MARTI MAGUIRE, Staff Writer

CLAYTON -- Some West Clayton Elementary School students learned a few things about space travel from astronaut Mae Jemison on Wednesday: Lifting weights is a lot easier with no gravity, and watching a frog jump is even funnier.

Jemison, who became the first African-American female astronaut in 1992, gave students a step-by-step walk through a space mission.

But the purpose of her visit was to let students show off what they are learning every day in science class.

Five years ago, Jemison came to Clayton to promote the launch of a partnership between Bayer Healthcare and Johnston County Schools to teach a new hands-on science program in four of the district's elementary schools.

She returned Wednesday, when the pharmaceutical company gave Johnston schools the largest of its five yearly grants -- $50,000 -- to expand the program to all 19 Johnston elementary schools.

The grants pay to train teachers and buy science supplies so students can learn scientific concepts such as chemical reactions by doing classroom experiments.

Bayer Healthcare runs a plant outside Clayton and has sponsored similar programs in six other communities where its plants are located.

Johnston officials said the program has been so successful that they have used district money to expand it.

Hands-on science instruction has been promoted nationally as a way to capture student interest. Focusing on understanding a few key concepts more completely through experiments also hones critical thinking skills, said Johnston lead teacher Vickie Boyette, who helps develop elementary school lessons for the district.

"The concept is, this is better than books," Boyette said. "If students have their hands in what they're doing, they learn a lot more."

For West Clayton fifth-grader Ronae Spencer, the approach has made science her favorite class. "The time I pay the most attention is when we do experiments," Ronae said.

She and her classmates were demonstrating a lesson on land forms Wednesday by pouring water over a pile of sand in a plastic tray. When this happens on the Earth, they said, it creates different land forms, such as mountains and trenches.

"We're trying to see if the water goes down, does it take any land with it?" Ronae explained.

Ronae wanted to be an astronaut when she was younger. Now, at 10, she has decided to be a scientist instead. She was thrilled to meet Jemison.

Jemison has advocated science literacy since she retired from NASA in 1993, both for Bayer's programs and through her own nonprofit company, which runs science camps for older children. She says science literacy isn't just for the next generation of scientists: Everyone needs a "baseline understanding" so they can understand scientific discoveries or vote on important science-based issues.

"The facts may change," Jemison said. "You have to be able to think your way through the day."


Staff writer Marti Maguire can be reached at 829-4841 or mmaguire@newsobserver.com.





When this story was posted in November 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying
Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.
Volunteer Death in Morocco Volunteer Death in Morocco
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers mourn the loss of Peace Corps Volunteer Melissa Mosvick who died as a result of a public bus accident on Saturday, November 6, 2004, in Ouarzazate, Morocco.
Your vote makes a difference Your vote makes a difference
Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.
Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers
The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference.

RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls.

Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate.

Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.
Director Gaddi Vasquez:  The PCOL Interview Director Gaddi Vasquez: The PCOL Interview
PCOL sits down for an extended interview with Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez. Read the entire interview from start to finish and we promise you will learn something about the Peace Corps you didn't know before.

Plus the debate continues over Safety and Security.


Read the stories and leave your comments.






Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: News Observer

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Sierra Leone; Space; Science; Service

PCOL14817
72

.

By Anonymous (124-182.207-68.elmore.res.rr.com - 68.207.182.124) on Friday, March 21, 2008 - 2:14 pm: Edit Post

I am one of the students who were able to join in the science experiments. Although this took place almost 4 years ago I still remember that day. It was very inspirational to have Mae Jemiosn to come to our school and teach us the importance of staying in school. I loved hearing of her being an astronaut too. I am now 14 years old and being a young black it was very important for me to see what i saw and it made me think about my future and what i want do with my life.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: