First blog installment, "Back to School, Back to Space," features daily entries about teacher and astronaut Barbara Morgan's trip to the International Space Station

What is it like to go from zero to 17,000 miles per hour in just over eight minutes? Or to orbit 220 miles above earth? When the Space Shuttle Endeavor blasts off tomorrow for its 12-day mission in space, teachers and students can follow the activities of NASA astronaut and teacher Barbara Morgan through the Sally Ride Science(TM) blog at http://sallyridescience.com.

The Sally Ride Science blog features a series of science-themed entries to help elementary and middle school teachers illustrate real world applications of science concepts and spark lively classroom discussions. Designed for grades four through eight, the blog includes ideas to engage and inspire students as they explore the exciting world of science.

The first blog installment, "Back to School, Back to Space," features daily entries about Morgan's flight to the International Space Station. "Back to School, Back to Space" shares Morgan's experiences about being a teacher in space, and provides an up-close look into her daily activities. The blog entries offer teachers an innovative way to connect the classroom to the outside world -- even if it is a couple hundred miles above earth.

The exclusive blog entries are authored by journalist Irene Klotz, a Florida-based freelance writer and columnist specializing in aerospace, who will be in touch with Morgan throughout the mission. Klotz first met Morgan in 1987 when NASA was preparing to return the shuttle fleet to flight following the Challenger disaster. Morgan's flight will be the 94th shuttle mission Klotz has covered. Klotz's work appears regularly on Reuters news wire, Discovery Channel and other global and national media outlets.

About Barbara Morgan

NASA astronaut Barbara Morgan began her teaching career in 1974. Morgan was selected as the backup candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Program in 1985. She trained with Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger crew at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Following the Challenger accident, Morgan assumed the duties of Teacher in Space Designee. In fall 1986, she returned to Idaho to resume teaching at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School, where she remained until 1998. During that time, she continued to work with NASA's Education Division. In 1998, Morgan was selected by NASA as a mission specialist and reported to the Johnson Space Center. Following two years of training and evaluation, she was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch. She then served in the Astronaut Office CAPCOM Branch, working in Mission Control as prime communicator with on-orbit crews. More recently, she served in the Robotics Branch of the Astronaut Office. Morgan is currently assigned to the crew of STS-118, an assembly mission to the International Space Station. The mission launches August 8, 2007.

About Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to supporting girls' and boys' interests in science, math and technology. Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America's first woman in space, founded Sally Ride Science in 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire. A key part of the company's mission is to make a difference in girls' lives, and in society's perceptions of their roles in technical fields. Its publications and programs bring science to life and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating and fun. For more information go to www.SallyRideScience.com or call 1-800-561-5161.

Contact:

Eicher Communications

Leslie Eicher, APR, 314-965-1776

Leslie@EicherCommunications.com