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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
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Biographical Data


NAME: S. Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Teacher in Space Participant
NASA Teacher in Space

PERSONAL DATA:
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, September 2, 1948. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Corrigan, reside in Framingham, Massachusetts.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Brown hair; brown eyes; height: 5 feet 5 inches; weight: 130 pounds.

EDUCATION:
Graduated from Marian High School, Framingham, Massachusetts, in 1966. Received a bachelor of arts degree, Framingham State College, 1970; and a masters degree in education, Bowie State College, Bowie, Maryland, 1978.

MARITAL STATUS:
Married to Steven James McAuliffe.

CHILDREN:
Scott Corrigan, September 11, 1976; and Caroline Corrigan, August 24, 1979.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS:
Jogging, tennis, and volleyball.

ORGANIZATIONS:
Board member, New Hampshire Council of Social Studies; National Council of Social Studies; Concord Teachers Association; New Hampshire Education Association; and the National Education Association.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES:
Member, Junior Service League; teacher, Christian Doctrine Classes, St. Peters Church; host family, A Better Chance Program (ABC), for innercity students; and fundraiser for Concord Hospital and Concord YMCA.

EXPERIENCE:
1970-1971 Benjamin Foulois Junior High School, Morningside, Maryland. Teacher. American history, 8th grade.

1971-1978 Thomas Johnson Junior High School, Lanham, Maryland. Teacher. English and American history, 8th grade and civics, 9th grade.

1978-1979 Bundlett Junior High School, Concord, New Hampshire. Teacher. English, 7th grade and American history, 8th grade.

1980-1982 Bow Memorial High School, Concord, New Hampshire. Teacher. English, 9th grade.

1982-1985 Concord High School, Concord, New Hampshire. Teacher. Courses in economics, law, American history, and a course she developed entitled "The American Woman," 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

NASA EXPERIENCE:
McAuliffe was selected as the primary candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Project on July 19, 1985.

Christa McAuliffe was the Teacher in Space Participant on STS 51-L, which was launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 11:38:00 EST on January 28, 1986. The crew on board the Orbiter Challenger included the pilot, Commander M. J. Smith (USN) (pilot), three mission specialist, Dr. R. E. McNair, Lieutenant Colonel E. S. Onizuka (USAF), and Dr. J. A. Resnik, as well as two civilian payload specialist, Mr. G. B. Jarvis and Mrs. S. C. McAuliffe. The STS 51-L crew died on January 28, 1986 after the failed solid rocket booster caused the explosion of STS-51 1 min. 13 sec. after launch.

ARCHIVAL BIOGRAPHY LAST UPDATED MARCH 1987

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