PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            January 17, 1991
                              

	The third annual Technical Interchange Workshop, a meeting
of scientists, engineers and educators from across the country to
showcase space technology research and development activities,
will be held at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jan. 23-25.  
	This year, the workshop will address the growing shortage of
science and engineering graduates and examine issues of minority
recruitment in the Earth, physical and engineering sciences.
	The workshop will coincide with a Community Education
Outreach Exhibition, to be held at the Pasadena Convention
Center.  The exhibition of booths, displays and demonstrations
will feature the work of community service and outreach
organizations dedicated to promoting science education. 
	Among the many special presentations and technical workshops
offered by approximately 40 participating scientific and academic
institutions, the conference will include the following topics:
	* The status of JPL minority science and engineering         
       initiatives.

	* Overview and formal signing of a memorandum of             
       understanding with the University of Texas at El Paso to   
       encourage educational excellence for Hispanic Americans.

	* Native American culture and the present system of higher   
       education; recommended changes from a Native American      
       perspective.

	* New partnerships: NASA's Space Technology and Utilization  
       Program, a consortium of historically black colleges and   
       universities to promote science and engineering research   
       and development activities.

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	* NASA's role in providing prime contractor and              
       subcontractor support to minority businesses.  

	* Science is kids' stuff: Science for early educational 	 
       development. 

	The Technical Interchange Workshop will be held in JPL's von
K rm n Auditorium.  The Pasadena Community Outreach Exhibition
will take place Jan. 23 on the lower level of the Convention
Center, located at 300 E. Green St.  Exhibits will open at 5:30
p.m. and presentations will run from 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
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