Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] ARO EDU HED
[SU] NPT
-- WITH PHOTO -- TO EDUCATION, NATIONAL, AND SCIENCE EDITORS:
'On and Off the Planet': DeBakey High School students inspired by
astronaut talks during visit to space institute
HOUSTON, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- How does space
travel affect your health? What does an astronaut aboard the
International Space Station (ISS) have in common with a scientist that
is wintering over in Antarctica? These and many other questions were
answered by current and former astronauts during a recent visit by
nearly 200 students to the National Space Biomedical Research
Institute (NSBRI) headquarters in Houston. The students, from the
DeBakey High School for Health Professions, participated in the "STEM:
On and Off the Planet" workshop, as part of an overall program to
encourage students to enter the fields of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM).
"Students who have already expressed an interest in the health
professions had the unique, up-close opportunity to tour the NSBRI's
Consolidated Research Facility (CRF)," said Dr. Amanda Hackler, head
of career development and outreach at NSBRI, and assistant professor
within the Center for Space Medicine (CSM) and School of Allied Health
Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). "They were also able to
interact directly with astronauts who have experienced what happens to
the body in space and who can attest to the very real need for more
scientific studies that address health issues faced by space
explorers."
The students toured the CRF which features exhibits including a
Russian space suit, scientific equipment tested aboard the ISS, as
well as information showcasing the Mars 500 study - a simulated
journey to Mars lasting 520 days and conducted in Russia with
participation by NSBRI-funded scientists. The exhibits they viewed
also included a section from the parachute used in the recent Red Bull
Stratos jump from the stratosphere. Dr. Jonathan Clark, NSBRI space
medicine advisor and associate professor within the CSM and BCM's
department of neurology served as medical director for the
history-making free fall from 128,000 feet by Felix Baumgartner.
"It was important for students to understand that the health issues
facing humans in space are serious and that we are funding studies
that not only will help keep our space explorers safe, but will
translate to new kinds of treatment back here on Earth," said Hackler.
"To have the chance to talk directly with astronauts who have spent
time in space and who are now conducting space biomedical research was
invaluable and very motivational for the students."
The DeBakey High School for Health Professions (DHSHP) opened in 1972
and was the first of its kind in the nation. A magnet school of the
Houston Independent School District, DHSHP provides a rigorous and
comprehensive pre-college program for students pursuing careers in
medicine, health care, and/or the sciences. Ninety-eight percent of
HSHP's graduates attain post-secondary education.
Established in 1997 through a NASA competition, NSBRI is a consortium
of leading biomedical institutions including Baylor College of
Medicine, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, The
Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Morehouse School of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Rice
University, Texas A&M University, University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences, University of Pennsylvania Health System and University of
Washington. NSBRI, a 501(c)(3) organization partnered with NASA, is
studying the health risks related to long-duration spaceflight and
developing the technologies and countermeasures needed for human space
exploration missions. The Institute's science, technology and
education projects take place at approximately 60 institutions across
the United States. For more information, please visit www.nsbri.org.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/DC29942LOGO
SOURCE National Space Biomedical Research Institute
-0- 04/15/2014
/CONTACT: Ron Gilmore, Director of Science and Education Communications, National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Ronald.gilmore@bcm.edu, 713-798-7595
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/DC29942LOGO
/Web Site: http://www.nsbri.org
CO: National Space Biomedical Research Institute; NSBRI
ST: Texas
IN: ARO EDU HED
SU: NPT
PRN
-- DC05701 --
0000 04/15/2014 14:58:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
