Faculty will coordinate with five scientists from the Challenger Center for Space Education, a not-for-profit organization, for various demonstrations, on meetings and presentations on campus and in the community April 9-14.

Muncie was selected earlier this year as one of four communities to host a "Window on the Universe" program, which brings together educators in science, mathematics and technology. The project is a joint effort by Ball State's elementary education department, Muncie Central High School and the Minnetristra Cultural Center.

By using human space flight and the space sciences as multi-disciplinary themes, its goal is to reach those areas with limited access to space science resources.

Events at Ball State include:

• A faculty education session April 11 at 11 a.m. in Cooper Science Building CP 90 with Jeff Goldstein, vice president of space science research at the Challenger Center, speaking on "Winds of Other Worlds."
• Demonstration lessons by Challenger scientists in elementary education teacher preparation courses on April 10-11 in CP 161 and 166.
• Presentations by Challenger scientists in Geography 100 classes in CP 187 on April 12.

About 105 Ball State students will also participate in Family Science Night activities from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 11 and 13 at the Minnetrista Cultural Center, 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway.

"Our hope is to provide a better understanding of the process of science and the lives of scientists," said Goldstein. "Muncie has shown tremendous enthusiasm for the program and we look forward to it."

The program, created by the Challenger Center and financed by grants from NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise and the Office of Space Science, is designed to engage and strengthen all aspects of the community.

The hope is to establish links in the area among local school districts, K-12 educators, museums, science centers, planetariums, area researchers, amateur astronomers, businesses, civic organizations, parents and children.

Funding has been provided through 2003 with the program expected to expand to 15 cities.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about the Challenger Center, call (703) 683-9740, or go to its Web site at www.challenger.org.)