Translating the mission: When the ground-truthers meet the instrument-makers - How students at all points in the "pipeline" learn about remote sensing

In 1997 the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) worked with Old Dominion University, Hampton University, Tidewater Community College and the Colleg e of William and Mary to develop a student team to manage the design, fabri cation, and launch process for a scientific balloon payload, The expertise available to the VSGC suggested that an environmentally focused payload sho uld address the instrumentation for gathering remotely sensed images and gr ound-truthing data. The payload was successfully launched on August 25, 199 8. Throughout the project all team members worked with precollege students. Qu estions about the project were responded to through the "Ask A Scientist" p age of the web site (http://ixeab2.larc.nasa.gov/(similar to)killough/vgsc) . The "Lessons Learned" included 1) Student accountability tor accuracy, sa fety, and project costs is critical, 2) Internet research projects require a high degree of organization, software compatibility, and self-efficacy: j udgement that the student himself feels capable of participating in an on-l ine research project, and 3) The moment of "Aha!" is the primary motivator.