Long-distance learner
Photo: Robert Markowitz

http://www.newscientist.com/opinion/opinterview.jsp?id=ns24061

It is an unusual mission for a teacher. Next year, Barbara Morgan is due to fly into space as NASA's "educator astronaut". As well as playing a vital role on board, she will broadcast lessons to children on Earth. Her predecessor and best friend, Christa McAuliffe, was killed in the Challenger shuttle disaster in 1986. Morgan was McAuliffe's back-up. With the investigation into the recent Columbia accident almost complete, she explains to Barry E. DiGregorio why teaching children about the wonder and science of space is more crucial now than ever

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