UI Prof and Boise High-schoolers Join In Russia’s International Space Olympics
Friday, November 8 2002
Nov. 8, 2002^MOSCOW - University of Idaho educator Teresa Kennedy and seven Idaho high school students represented the United States and the Boise School District at the 10th International Space Olympics in Korolev, Russia last month – the only U.S. representation.^The students were Lance Basler and Rebecca Sanders, Borah High; Ben Bartle and Kim Holland, Capital High; Amanda Boren, Wes Essig and Loren Hofstetter, Boise High. Approximately 150 students from Russia, Greece, England and the U.S. competed in science, math, computing, technology and literature, among other academic challenges.^The Boise students arrived Oct. 17 and recently returned. Two Boise students finished in the top 13 of the Research Presentation competition: Amanda Boren on "Satellite Technology in the Aviation Industry" and Wes Essig for "Dark Matter." Students presented their papers in English, and Russian interpreters translated. Two other Idaho students placed high in the physics competitions. The students had worked closely with a group of volunteer mentors from Micron and Hewlett Packard.^The group was accompanied by retired Boise math teacher Bob Fermin, Wanda Fermin, chaperone, and Boise school administrators Alice Cottle and Tama Everett. Kennedy facilitated the international competition and went along. She is the NASA education broker for Idaho and assistant education professor at UI. She planted the seed for the project last year when two Russian cosmonauts came to Moscow, Idaho, to speak to students.^ “The hostage situation in Russia (that transpired at the same time) was a little nerve racking,” said Kennedy. “But, we had security escorts who drove in front of us at all times, moving us through traffic while we are on the tour buses and walking with us when we got off.”^Students also were immersed in Russian culture, history, excursions to Red Square, the Armory and the cathedrals of the Kremlin. The group toured the Space Museum of the Rocket-Space Corporation and saw the ballet "Swan Lake," and the Moscow Circus.^They visited Mission Control Center and met Russian cosmonauts who were involved both with the Mir Space Station, shuttle flights and the International Space Station. Students also experienced a live link with the International Space Station; student Ben Bartle, representing the U.S. team, spoke directly with two cosmonauts.^"It is exciting to be able to give something back to the district after all the district did for me when I was a student", said Kennedy, a 1980 graduate of Boise High School. Kennedy has been liaison between the Boise Schools’ Olympic Committee and the Russian program coordinator. The Russians in turn will visit Idaho this spring.^“Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I plan to facilitate the experience for more Idaho schools next year.” The Public Education Foundation helped fund the team’s journey.^Contacts: Teresa Kennedy, UI educator and NASA facilitator, drtkennedy@hotmail.com, or Nancy Hilliard, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, hilliard@uidaho.edu^-30-^NH-11/8/02-EDU/NASA^
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