Katie O'Toole WITN Host

Scientists probing the mysteries of the human brain will get a new laboratory next April. It's called Neurolab, and it will be onboard the space shuttle Columbia. In a variety of Neurolab experiments, astronauts will study the effects of the space environment on the brain and nervous system. In cooperation with NASA, What's in the News wants to tap into your brain power. You can be part of the Neurolab mission by doing experiments in your classroom that are similar to the ones on the space shuttle. After the flight we'll compare your results with NASA's. From now until liftoff in April, Astronaut Jim Pawelczyk, one of the Mission Specialists on Neurolab, will give us a behind-the-scenes look at Neurolab.

Jim Pawelczyk, Payload Specialist

Hi, What's in the News viewers. It's been six months since my crewmates and I were selected to travel aboard the space shuttle Columbia next April. We're in the middle of our training on the basics of living and working in space. For me and the other astronauts, much of our training so far has focused on the experiments we'll perform here in space. In the weeks and months ahead we'll talk about those experiments so you can follow along in your classroom. We'll also introduce you to some of the people you never hear about, but whose jobs are critical to the safe departure, flight and return of each mission. I welcome your participation in Neurolab. It's great to have you aboard!

To get your science kits which include all the information you need to take part in four NASA experiments, call What's in the News at their toll free number or write to the address below. See WITN homepage on the World Wide Web for more details. Keep watching for the next installment of "Crew's Log."