SUNBEAMS is a new and exciting educational partnership between the Goddard Space Flight Center and local school systems. Local teachers will be invited to Goddard for a five week paid internship during which they will participate in current scientific research or engineering projects. Teachers will work with Goddard mentors to develop lessons for middle school students based on the teachers' summer work experiences. During the school year, each teacher will bring a class of up to 30 students, to Goddard, to participate in a week long immersion in the math and science activities that were developed during the summer. For each participating school, the SUNBEAMS staff will organize a Family Night workshop to allow the school community an opportunity to share in the students' experiences. Family Night will be conducted at the students' schools.

SUNBEAMS is unique among the current crop of educational programs because it addresses issues in science education from several angles. The goals of the SUNBEAMS program are to:

• provide teachers with the time and resources to develop curriculum materials based on NASA research,
• foster a positive attitude towards math and science in participating students, and
• establish meaningful, long-term partnerships between Goddard scientists/engineers and local teachers.

Anyone interested in more information or participating in the SUNBEAMS program should call the program office at 301-268-4558.

Email the program coordinator at sbrown@stars.gsfc.nasa.gov.