In 2007,  Vintage Magnet was one of 25 schools in the United States selected to become a NASA Explorer School. As a NASA Explorer School we have a special relationship with NASA that gives us access to funds and resources that are not available to any other schools.  The purpose of the program is to ehnance instruction in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and geography (STEMs-G education) for Vintage students in the way that only NASA can. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Mojave, California is our adopted NASA center. The Dryden staff works hand in hand with our Vintage NASA team to coordinate resources and organize events.

In the first three years of the program, NASA will provide our school with $17,500 to support the partnership. During the first year we will be purchasing video conferencing equipment which will allow us to access NASA's Digital Learning Network(DLN).

Through this network, classrooms can connect to NASA scientists and engineers around the world in real time video conferences. The equipment will allow students to ask questions and interact with scientist as though they were present in the classroom.

On November 7, 2007 the partnership with NASA kicked-off with a visit from astronaut John Herrington. Commander Herrington met with students and parents and shared his experiences from his shuttle flight and visit to the International Space Station.

The NASA Explorer School (NES) Program will provide Vintage Magnet students and staff with extraordinary opportunities that are not available to other schools. The NES Program gives us access to NASA personnel who can share their real world knowledge and experiences in aeronautics and space exploration with students.  Through assemblies, classroom visits and video conferencing technology teachers can incorporate  NASA experts in science, math and geography lessons  

The NES program offers teachers a vast catalog of instructional materials and professional development opportunities to enhance their science instuction. Some of these include chances to actually fly classroom experiments into space or attend national science education conferences all expenses paid by NASA.

Vintage parents and families are a important part of our NASA partnership. Throughout the year, we schedule community events to give the whole school community to a chance to experience all the exciting things NASA has to offer. Besides being a lot of fun, parents gain insights into the science instruction their children are recieving and a can better support their learning.

In the 2007/2008 school year we will be focusing on three themes:

• Flight
• Humans in Space
• Mars Exploration

Look for information about upcoming events and ways you can get involved in the NASA program.