Sonja Alexander
Headquarters, Washington, DC                  April 5, 2000
(Phone:  202/358-1761)

E. Lyle Henderson
The Widmeyer Baker Group, Washington, DC
(Phone:  202/667-0901)

Christopher Cason
Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Phone: 404/223-1482)

RELEASE:  00-48

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ADDRESSES THE
CHANGING FACES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

     NASA, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation 
(NSF), is working to bridge the gap while increasing opportunities 
in the new millennium for underrepresented students to compete for 
many of the best, most challenging jobs in science and technology 
fields.

     More than 200 promising students, faculty and administrators 
from the Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) program will 
gather to highlight results from their own research in teaching 
science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) and to explore 
innovations advancing global technologies during the MIE fifth 
annual conference in Atlanta, GA, April 
5-8, 2000, hosted by Spelman College. The event, titled "Models 
for Success: Preparing to Meet the SEM Challenges of the New 
Millennium," will take place at both Spelman College, 350 Spelman 
Lane, SW, and the Wyndham Atlanta Hotel, 160 Spring Street.

     The MIE program, an 11-year initiative, seeks to increase the 
number and quality of underrepresented populations earning 
science, engineering and mathematics degrees from institutions of 
higher education in the United States.

     "If our Nation is to compete effectively in the global 
marketplace, it must secure the necessary commitment from industry 
leaders to ensure that todayıs students are scientifically and 
mathematically literate, " says NASA Administrator Daniel S. 
Goldin. "We recognize the need for a diverse, highly skilled 
workforce to shepherd pioneering scientific research well into the 
millennium and beyond.  It is only fitting that the scientific and 
technology communities invest now in programs like MIE to inspire 
inquisitive minds for future long-term gains."

     A conference highlight on Thursday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 
5 p.m. features NASA Astronaut Michael Anderson and a NASA-
sponsored symposium titled, "Fulfilling NASA's Challenges in the 
Millennium:  Retooling Knowledge Bases, Preparing for 
Opportunities, and Making your Mark."  The all-day activity is 
divided into three sessions and will present, through "live" 
interactive videoconferencing, cutting-edge research and 
theoretical approaches that address futuristic scientific 
challenges.  Symposium presenters expect to reach over 2,000 
students and faculty via technology.  The symposium can be viewed 
via webcast over the Internet at:

                       www.it.famu.edu/mie

     According to Dr. Albert Bridgewater, Program Director for the 
NSF, students must be properly positioned to pursue the best 
opportunities allowing them to make significant contributions and 
advances in the science, engineering and mathematics fields. 

     The focal point of the 3-day forum showcases graduate and 
undergraduate student presenters from each of the MIE member-
institutions who will share their research. The MIE partnering 
institutions include Bowie State University, Bowie, MD; Oglala 
Lakota College, Kyle, SD; Spelman College; Universidad 
Metropolitana, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; The University of Texas 
at El Paso; and Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans.

     "The MIE program is educating highly motivated students on a 
path toward success, and effectively changing the makeup of 
laboratories and research facilities to reflect the countryıs rich 
diversity," says George Reese, NASA Associate Administrator for 
Equal Opportunity Programs.  "MIE is one of a few national 
initiatives specifically designed to nurture high-quality science, 
engineering and mathematics education that can be replicated at 
colleges and universities nationwide."

     More information about the MIE program is available on the 
Internet at:

                      www.mieprogram.org

                              -end-