Pssp History

History of Partner School Science Program

The year-long Partner School Science Program connects teachers and their students in different countries via space education to motivate students to increase their knowledge of math and science. Collaborative projects via e-mail and videoconferencing are intended to promote cross-cultural understanding and friendship.

Since its inception in 2002, PSSP has partnered 28 schools from Turkey, 30 schools from the United States, England, Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, and Lithuania. More than 6750 students, teachers and principals have worked together to develop science-related projects and global friendship.

PSSP Participants (2002 - 2018)

European, Canadian and Middle Eastern Schools Bulgaria  133 SOV ‘A.S. Pushkin’ School, Sofia  1st Private Mathematic School, Sofia, www.parvamatematicheska.com  Yane Sandanski Primary School, Plovdiv http://sandanskiplovdiv.bg/

Canada  Children’s Word Academy, LaSalle, Quebec, http://cwa.lbpsb.qc.ca

Lithuania  Velzys Gymnasium, Panevezys Disctrict

Israel  Tefen School, Migdal Tefen, www.tefenschool.org.il  Gevanim School, Zoran-Qadima, http://www.linet.pro.net/il/anneu  Science & Knowledge School, Karmiel  Sholomy School, Karmiel

Poland  School4Child, http://www.school4child.pl/

Turkish School Participants  Acarkent Doga College, Istanbul, http://www.dogakoleji.com/acarkentkoleji/  Ankara Doga College, Ankara, http://ilkogretim.ankaradogakoleji.com/duy,11204.html  Atakent Doga College, Istanbul, http://www.dogakoleji.com/atakentkoleji/  Ataşehir Doga College, Istanbul, http://www.atasehir.dogakoleji.k12.tr/  Bahçeşehir College, Izmir, http://izmirilkogretimokulu.bahcesehir.k12.tr/tr- TR/anasayfa.aspx  Beykoz Doga College, Istanbul, http://www.dogakoleji.com/beykozkoleji/  Bilkent University Preparatory School, Ankara, http://www.bups.bilkent.edu.tr/  British International School, Istanbul, http://www.bis.k12.tr/intro.aspx

USA: GFTSE, 756 Chapala Drive, Pacific Palisades, California, U.S.A. 90272 Phone: +1 917-597-3916 Turkey: Space Camp Turkey /Aegean Free Zone 35410 Gaziemir, Izmir, Turkey Phone: +90 232 252-0749 Fax: +90 232 252-3600 http://www.gftse.org

 Denizli Doga College, Denizli, http://ilkogretim.denizlidogakoleji.com/  Dogus Schools Group, Istanbul, http://www.dogus.k12.tr/  Enka Schools, Istanbul, http://www.enkaschools.com/genel/en/index.asp  Gelisim Koleji, Izmir, http://www.gelisim.k12.tr/  Isikkent Egitim College, Izmir, http://www.isikkent.k12.tr/  Istek Acibadem, Istanbul, http://www.istek.org.tr/  Izmir Ozel Turk College, Izmir, http://www.itk.k12.tr/  Kartal Doga College, Istanbul, http://www.dogakoleji.com/kartalkoleji/  Kemerburgaz Doga College, Istanbul, http://kemerburgaz.dogakoleji.k12.tr/  Kurtköy Doga College, Istanbul, http://kurtkoy.dogakoleji.k12.tr/  Marmara College, Istanbul, http://en.mek.k12.tr/lise.aspx?SectionId=945  MEF International School, Izmir, http://www.international.mef.k12.tr/izmir/  MEF Istanbul College, Istanbul, http://www.mef.k12.tr/00giris/index.asp  METU College, Ankara, http://www.odtugvo.k12.tr/  SANKO College, Gaziantep , http://www.sanko.k12.tr/  Sarıyer Doga Colllege, Istanbul, http://www.dogakoleji.com/sariyerlisesi/  SEV Izmir American College, Izmir, http://www.sevizmir.k12.tr/  TAKEV College, Izmir, http://www.takevilkogretim.k12.tr/  TED College Ankara, Ankara, http://www.tedankara.k12.tr/  The Koc School, Istanbul, http://www.kocschool.k12.tr/

U.S. School Participants  Browne Academy, Alexandria, Virginia, http://www.browneacademy.org/  Children’s Aid Society, New York City, http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/communityschools/locations/NYC/mirabalsister s  Discovery School, Tennessee, http://www.dicksoncountyschools.org/tds/  Harry Eichler School, New York, New York, http://schools.nycenet.edu/csd27/ps56  Hobgood NASA Explorer School, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, http://cityschools.net/schoolsites/hg/index.html  Intermediate School 90, New York City, http://insideschools.org/middle/browse/school/226  John Ericson Middle School, New York City, http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/14/K126/default.htm  Lindsey Middle School, Long Beach, http://lin.sbo.hampton.k12.va.us/  Middle School 244, New York City, www.ms324.org  Middle School 206, New York City, http://insideschools.org/component/schools/school/180  Middle School 324, New York City, www.ms324.org  Middle School 328, New York City, http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/06/M328/default.htm  Miribal Sisters Schools, New York, New York, http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/community-schools/mirabal-sisters-campus  Noble Academy, North Carolina, http://www.nobleknights.org/  Orville Wright Middle School, Los Angels, California, http://www.wrightms.org/

 Rawson- Saunders School, Austin, Texas, www.rawson-saunders.org  School of the Future, New York, New York http://www.sof.edu/home/  Thurgood Marshall Academy, New York, New York, http://www.thurgoodmarshallacademy.org/  Valley Christian Elementary School, Bellflower, California http://vcschools.org/page.cfm?p=11  Washington Middle School, Long Beach, California http://lbwashington.schoolloop.com/

During the year-long program most of the students and teachers were able to send emails to each other and have three-way videoconferences with a Space Expert. Some were able meet their E-Pals during a unique six-day summer program at Space Camp Turkey called E- Pal Week. During the E-Pal Weeks, that have been held every summer since the start of the program, students and teachers were able to meet and talk with NASA astronauts, cosmonauts, and listen to interesting guest speakers. Also on a couple of occasions (2003 and 2004), students were able to ask questions directly to the astronauts on the International Space Station via teleconference. Last but not least, the highlight of every summer, students get the unique experience of working with other students and making friends from many different countries.

E-Pal Week Highlights:

2018 – E-pal Week  151 students and 18 teachers from 9 countries, including Poland, the United Kingdom, Lithuania and the United States, participated in the 16th Partner School Science Program (PSSP), also known as the E-PAL Week, held on July 1-7 2018. The most important event of the week was the videoconference session with NASA Flight Director, Ed Van Cise. Students received the latest information regarding NASA's space operations and International Space Station flight operations during the videoconference.

2017 – E-pal Week  During the Epal Week, which held on July 28, we had videoconference sessions with ESA Astronaut JeanFrancois Clervoy and NASA Flight Director Robert Dempsey. They shared their experiences and answered various questions asked by our campers. Also, Major Michael Coyne made a presentation about "Space Weather" and informed our campers about the conditions on the Sun.

2016 – E-pal Week  Sunita L. Williams was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 and is a veteran of two space missions Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33. Selected as an astronaut by NASA in June 1998, she reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. In addition, Williams, who has spent a total of 322

days in space on two missions, now ranks sixth on the all-time U.S. endurance list, and second all-time for a female astronaut.

2015 – E-pal Week  Astronaut Mike Foreman - Foreman was part of the STS-123 mission that delivered the Japanese Experiment Module and the Canadian Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator to the International Space Station. Foreman was also a crewmember of the STS-129 mission in November 2009. He was a special guest speaker and week- long visitor at Space Camp Turkey. 2014 – E-Pal Week  Astronaut Richard Linnehan – Veteran of four Space Shuttle flights on 1996-2008, he served multiple roles from Mission Specialist to Payload Commander. In his four flights, he logged over 59 days in space, including six EVAs (Spacewalks). His total time outside the Shuttle on Spacewalks adds up to an impressive 42 hours and 11 minutes.  Scott Anderson – Digital Learning Network Expert From Marshall Space Flight Center – Guest Speaker and special ambassador for NASA, presenting GFTSE Manager Tolga Yildirim with the Digital Beagle Award.

2013 – E-Pal Week  Astronaut Michael E. Lopez Alegria – Served as Mission Specialist as four space shuttle flights. Lopez-Alegria currently serves as President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation - Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey  Scott Anderson – Digital Learning Network Expert From Marshall Space Flight Center – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2012 – E-Pal Week  Astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy – European Space Agency Astronaut - Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2011 – E-Pal Week  Cosmonaut Dorin Priunariu Dumitru – First and Only Romanian Cosmonaut – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2010 – E-Pal Week  Astronaut Charles D. Walker – MDC Payload Specialist - Guest Speaker and week- long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2009 – E-Pal Week  Astronaut Jon A. McBride - Captain, USN, Ret. - Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2008 – E- Pal Week  Astronaut Dr. Jay Buckey – Payload Specialist – Guest Speaker and week–long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2007 – E- Pal Weeks  Cosmonaut Yuri Baturin – The First Politician Cosmonaut – Guest Speaker and week- long visitor at Space Camp Turkey  NASA Astronaut Roger Crouch – The First Politician Cosmonaut – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey  Amateur Radio contact with NASA scientist Pat Kilroy

2006 – E-Pal Weeks  Cosmonaut Dorin Priunariu Dumitru – First and Only Romanian Cosmonaut – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey  NASA Astronaut Shannon Lucid –Capsule Communicator – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

October 8-12, 2006 – Special Session for PSSP students in Izmir  NASA Astronaut Steven Lindsey – Space Shuttle Commander – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2005 - E-Pal Weeks  Hüsnü Arsev Eraslan – NASA Scientist – Guest Speaker  NASA Astronaut Andrew Gaffney, Payload Specialist – Guest Speaker and week-long visitor at Space Camp Turkey

2004 – E-Pal Week  Patriarch Bartholomew of the Greek Orthodox Church – Guest Visitor  NASA Astronaut Dr.Ellen Baker, NASA Goddard Space Center – Videoconference  Dr. Carolynn Conley, NASA Integration Manager for Amateur Radio for the ISS – Guest Speaker  Astronaut Janet L.Kavandi, NASA Astronaut – Videoconference  Astronuat Michael Fincke, Expedition 9 NASA ISS Science Officer/Flight Engineer – Amateur Radio Contact with Space Station

2003 – E-Pal Week  Ulku Adatepe, Ataturk’s adopted daughter – Guest Speaker  Isılay Davaz, Youngest pilot in the world – Guest Speaker  Dr. Jeffrey Theal, NASA Director for Russian Integration of the ISS – teleconference  Susan Anderson, NASA Distant Learning Program Expert - Videoconference  Dr.Carolynn Conley, NASA Integration Manager for Amateur Radio for the ISS – Videoconference  NASA Astronaut Ed Lu, Expedition 7 NASA ISS Science Officer, July 2003 – Amateur Radio Contact with International Space Station