As part of Space Buddies, Astro Chat Interactive is geared towards giving educators and parents ideas and tools on how to inspire borderland children in the science and technology fields. The University of Texas at El Paso Communication 3459-Spring 1998 Class in conjunction with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut Program present this project in order to promote these sciences to area border children.

  One reason for this project is that the Texas School System (see Texas Academic Scores link) has reported economically disadvantaged students as consistently doing worse than all other students in the science areas. The border area is, as a whole, the poorest area of Texas. (See The Texas Dept. of Economic Development). Prior to this new telecommunications technology (the WWW, the Internet, and videoconferencing) it was very difficult to access information just through the classroom with no other outside assistance. Now border students can access up-to-date, worldwide information at the touch of their fingertips. Border children can do a science experiment, look up the International Space Station, or watch a space shuttle launch all through this new telecommunications technology; and in the future, every student will be able to log on and visually talk to their teacher, favorite astronaut, or local Congressman simply by using videoconferencing and the software becoming available right now! This project promotes telecommunications technology and the advancement thereof because the benefits are a brighter future for our border children.
Therefore, ASTRO CHAT Interactive is created for educators and parents as a resource to help border children reach for the stars!!

  Please enjoy our page and BLAST OFF!

  THE SPACEBUDDIES TEAM:
Melissa Carillo & Shannon Totten