The JASON Foundation for Education:

Student and Teacher Argonaut Programs

Each year, some hard working and talented students and teachers are selected to join the JASON Project expedition team, traveling with the scientists, the production team and others to the remote location from which JASON will broadcast that year. These participants are called Argonauts and their work begins the day they are chosen and ends long after the expedition has drawn to a close.

The relationship between the Argonauts and their local Primary Interactive Network Site (PINS) is strong and essential. Each candidate for Student or Teacher Argonaut must be submitted to the JASON Foundation for Education by a PINS. The PINS then works with the Student and Teacher Argonauts to ensure that these experiences are shared with the community and used to enhance the JASON experience.

The JASON Foundation for Education selects the Teacher Argonauts from candidates submitted by each PINS. A committee whose members include Teacher Argonauts , selects the final Student Argonauts.

The Student Argonaut program began in 1989, and the Teacher Argonaut program in 1990. For JASON V, there will be six Teacher Argonauts and 23 Student Argonauts including three from Belize. As in past years, these Argonauts will be divided among research locations.

Student Argonauts must have demonstrated interest and ability in science and technology as well as good leadership skills. For JASON V, Student Argonaut applicants from returning PINS are required to have participated in a past JASON program. Student Argonaut candidates must explain why they want to participate in the JASON program and what particular aspect of that year's science plan they would study. Each Student Argonaut must develop a project for the expedition period. The student receives help in defining and completing that project from the Teacher Argonauts, from his or her mentor scientist, from other members of the JASON team and from the sponsor PINS.

Teacher Argonauts serve as mentors and guides during the preparation for and time of the expedition and also use their experience as a Teacher Argonaut upon their return to the classroom. It is after the expedition that a multiplier effect takes place, as each Teacher Argonaut shares his or her experiences and enthusiasm with hundreds of students. Teacher Argonaut applicants must submit statements explaining why they would be effective in that year's program and how they would use that experience in the classroom as well as a letter of support from his or her school system. Teacher Argonauts typically spend a minimum of six weeks on JASON - related activities from the time of selection through the expedition.

Teacher Argonauts are responsible for defining, assigning and coordinating the research projects of the student Argonauts and also work with the JASON Foundation for Education to pair Student Argonauts with mentors from the ranks of JASON scientists, technicians and engineers.

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Gene Carl Feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola, JASON Foundation for Education (todd@jason.org)